Plant growth response and nitrate reductase activities of roots of Chromolaena odorata in a model spent lubricating oil-polluted soil

Abstract

SUMMARY.The ability of Chromolaena odorata propagated by stem cuttings and grown for 50 days in the soil containing five (5) different concentrations of spent lubricating oil (SLO) in soil (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 % SLO), was investigated. The experiments were watered daily at 70% moisture field capacity. Parameters such as number leaves per plant, shoot length, plant height as well as nitrate reductase activities were measured. Shoot length as well as leaf number were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, compared to the control treatment. Results also showed that nitrate reductase activities increased slightly with time. However, beyond 40 days, nitrate reductase activity was not detected in 3% -12% w/w oil-in-soil treatments, respectively. Pollution indices such as Contamination factor and Hazard Quotient, used in the present study indicated significant reduction in contamination values upon sowing of C. Odorata. Values obtained from Bioaccumulation Quotients also indicated that the plant was able to significantly bioaccumulate elements such as Fe, Cu and Ni present in the SLO-polluted soil.

Microbial effects of manure from poultry droppings and pig dung in diesel-contaminated soil

“…Erhenhi and Ikhajiagbe (2012) have observed that oil has a multitude of phytotoxic effects on plant growth and development, thus resulting in massive agricultural and economic losses in contaminated areas. Other researchers (Vwioko and Fashemi, 2005;Anoliefo et al, 2017;Ikhajiagbe et al, 2017) have reported that petroleum hydrocarbons are hazardous to both plants and mammals. The presence of oil in the soil is a major environmental concern as it creates unfavorable conditions for plant growth, most commonly due to insufficient soil aeration.…”