Effect of Crude Oil Pollution on Soil Characteristics and Performance of Maize (Zea Mays) in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Publication Date: 14/03/2021
Author(s): Roland Gbarabe, Etukudoh Ndarake Emmanuel.
Volume/Issue: Volume 1 , Issue 1 (2021)
Abstract:
A pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels of crude oil on soil characteristics and performance of maize (ZEA MAYS). The experimental was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications and four (4) levels of crude oil treatments (0,2,5 and 10 % crude oil) was applied. Soils were analyzed before and after treatment. Data were assessed using the analysis of variance and significant means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Results showed that different levels of crude oil treatment significantly (P≤0.05) affected soil pH and organic carbon content, as they increase significantly (P≤0.05) above that of the control (0%). On the other hand, for available P, exchangeable Ca, exchange acidity and ECEC, significant decreases were observed. Crude oil treatment produced significant reductions in the growth (number of leaves, leaf area, and plant height and stem girth) of maize plants. Proximate composition of maize was determined 28 days after emergence. The growth was attributed to suffocation of the plant caused by exclusion of air by the oil or exhaustion of oxygen by increased microbial activity, interference with plant-soil-water relationship.
Keywords:
Zea Mays, Proximate, Exchangeable, Microbial and Suffocation
