Evaluation of Growth and Heavy Metals Uptake of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Grown on Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Onyebuchi C.O.; Osuagwu G.G.E.; Anuforo P. C.; Rashid A.K.

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth and heavy metals content of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. This study was carried out in the screen house of the College of Crop and Soil Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, between the months of May and August, 2017. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD).The treatments were different crude oil concentrations (volume/weight) in the soil (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) applied before planting (0WAP). Each treatment was replicated four times. The study observed a significant (P≤0.05) reduction in plant height, number of leaves, vine girth, and fresh and dry weight of the I. batatas grown on the crude oil treated soils (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) when compared to the control. The results showed that the heavy metals contents (including lead, cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc, and iron) of crude oil contaminated soils and treated roots and leaves of I. batatas were significantly (P≤0.05) higher than those of the untreated ones. These effects as observed, increased with increase in level of contamination. This study has demonstrated that crude oil has a negative influence on the growth of plants. It has also demonstrated that crude oil contamination of soil can lead to a gradual accumulation of heavy metals which when absorbed by plants could be toxic and harmful to man and livestock when ingested as food. Keywords: Crude oil, soil contamination, heavy metals, Ipomoea batatas, phytoremediationCite this ArticleOnyebuchi, C.O., Osuagwu, G.G.E., Anuforo, P. C., Rashid, A.K. Evaluation of Growth and Heavy Metals Uptake of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Grown on Crude Oil Contaminated Soil. Research & Reviews: Journal of Crop Science and Technology. 2020; 9(1): 27–34p.