Performance of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> l.) in crude oil treatment

Abstract

The performance of maize (Zea mays) in crude oil treatment was investigated at the University of Port Harcourt botanical garden. Germination and growth responses of Z. mays were examined using various crude oil pollution treatments. There was no significant difference in the germination and development of Z. mays subjected to oiling at 1-3% compared to those of the control (0%), while 4-5% oiling showed a significant difference at P=0.05. Percentage germination decreased with increase in concentration of crude oil equilibrated with water. Germination rate decreased significantly with increased time of pre-soaking in crude oil. Crude oil spilled soil immediately after planting, increased the length of lag phase preceding germination from 48 hours to 96 hours and decreased percentage germination from 100% in the control to 58% in crude oil contaminated soil. This study shows that crude oil pollution has adverse effects on germination and development of Z. mays.

An economic analysis of crude oil pollution effects on crop farms in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…The interaction between land and light oil spillage indicated that a unit of light crude oil spillage on farmland resulted in a proportionate decrease in crops output of 1.027 units and was statistically significant at 5%. These results obtained in these relationships confirmed that crude oil spillage on farm land had detrimental effects on crops production in Rivers State, Nigeria and affirmed that crude oil spillage reduces land productivity (Ekundayo et al, 2001;Saier, 2006;Okonwu et al;.…”

“…The interaction between fertilizers and improved seeds showed crops output decrease by 0.102 units in crude oil polluted crop farms. Therefore, crude oil pollution reduced crops output significantly, hence detrimental to crop farms output and production in Rivers State of Nigeria (Achuba, 2006;Aade -Ademilua and Mbamalu, 2008;Dung et al;Okonwu et al, 2010).…”

“…The relationship between light crude oil spillage and fertilizers usage on cropped farmland ( 32 ) indicated that an increase by a unit of fertilizers usage on light crude oil spilled crop farms resulted in a reduction of output by 0.729 units (statistically significant at 10%). These results showed that fertilizers usage had no expected positive effects on crops production on crude oil polluted areas and hence did not lead to expected increase in yields/output (Uzoho et al, 2004;Dung et al, 2008;Okonwu et al, 2010;Fernandez Luqueno et al, 2012).…”

“…The interaction between labour and fertilizers ( 26 ) indicated that a unit increase in the inputs, resulted in a reduction in output by 0.283 units in crude oil polluted crop farms, which was statistically significant at 1%. This could be that on a crude oil spilled crop farm any increase in land, labour, and fertilizers or improved seeds are wasted because of the detrimental effects of crude oil pollution (Uzoho et al, 2004;Dung et al, 2008;Okonwu et al, 2010;Fernandez-Luqueno et al, 2012).…”

“…High temperature around the gas flare appeared to be the most likely cause of the retardation and low yield. Okonwu et al (2010) investigation showed that the percentage of germination of maize (Zea mays) decreased with increase in concentration of crude oil equilibrated with water. Germination rate decreased significantly with increased time of pre-soaking in crude oils.…”