Studies of heavy metal contents and microbial composition of rhizosphere of <i>Panicum maximum</i> within and around auto mechanic workshop in Benin City

Abstract

This study investigated the heavy metal content and microbial composition of rhizosphere of Panicum maximum obtained from some auto mechanic workshops in Benin City, Nigeria. The grass was uprooted and soil sample was taken from its rhizosphere. The sample were labeled appropriately and immediately transported into a polythene bag covered with aluminium foil papers. It was then taken to the laboratory for heavy metals and microbial assay. The results showed that average plant density of Panicum maximum per 100m 2 of sampled subplots in the mechanic workshops was 8.50 in Ikpoba-Okha and 9