Application Rates of Cricket Feces Influencing Soil Properties and Rice Yield in Soils of Different Moisture Contents

Background: Cricket feces is a potential high-quality soil amendment, but there is currently no established optimum rate for its application in paddy soils with varying moisture contents. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effects of varied rates of cricket feces on soil properties, rice growth, and yield in paddy soils with differing moisture contents. Methods: Two study factors were evaluated: (i) the maximum water-holding capacity (WHCmax) and flooded soils, and (ii) cricket feces applied at rates of 0 (unamended), 3.125 (low), 6.25 (medium), and 12.5 (high) t/ha. Result: The total grain weight of rice in soil with WHCmax was 2.60, 4.33, 6.91, and 7.49 g/hill under the cricket feces from unamended to high rates, respectively, with no significant difference between the medium and high rates. Meanwhile, the total grain weight in flooded soil was 1.85, 4.02, 4.70, and 5.72 g/hill, respectively. Cricket feces increased the content of essential elements and decreased the acidity and toxicity of Al, Ca, and Na in the soil, thereby promoting rice growth and yield. The optimal application rates of cricket feces for rice in the WHCmax soil was determined to be the medium rate, while that in flooded soil was the high rate.