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This research work centered on "environmental impact of diesel contamination on seedling growth of okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), pumpkin (Amaranthus hybridus), maize (Zea mays) and pepper (Capsicum annum). The soil sample of known weight 2.50kg was treated with different concentration (2ml, 4ml, 6ml) of diesel while one sample was not contaminated (control). The contaminated samples were mixed thoroughly by hands to ensure homogeneity and were filled into perforated plastic to allow aeration. Each bowl containing the control and contaminated soil were properly labeled. At least four (4) seeds were sown in each bowl and replicated thrice. The effect of diesel on these crops was determined after six (6) weeks of germina- tion. It was observed that the seedlings with 4 and 6ml diesel concentration decreased leaf number from 7 to 0 in Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), while reduction in leaf number were observed in Pumpkin (Amaranthus hybridus) from 23 to 13 leaves, 5 to 3 leaves for Maize (Zea mays) and 6 to 2 leaves for Pepper (Capsicum annum). Also, plants height decreases from 2 to 6ml of diesel concentration with 21.0cm to 0cm in Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), 38.0cm to 19.0cm in pumpkin (Amaranthus hybridus), 32.0cm to 17.0cm in Maize (Zea mays) and 10.0cm to 1.0cm in pepper (Capsicum annum). The length of leaves decreases from 9.0cm to 0cm for okro (Abel- moschus esculentus), 9.0cm to 4.0cm for pumpkin (Amaranthus hybridus), 25.0cm to 12.3cm for maize (Zea mays) and 5.0cm to 0.2cm for pepper (Capsicum annum). The fresh and dry weight decrease across the plants from the control to the highest concentrated. The result from this study indicates that indiscriminate dumping of petroleum fractions (oil) has significant effect on plants growth and yield great environmental impact. For this fact, consciousness should be instilled into petroleum marketing, operators and automobile mechanics should stop unhealthy disposal of used petroleum products. |
