Evaluation Of Glycine Max (L. Merrill) And Lycopersicon Esculentum (Mill) In Remediation Of Crude Oil Polluted Soil

ABSTRACT

The potentials of using Gycine max and Lycopersicon esculentum in remediating soil polluted with crude oil were investigated. The investigation involved screening of four accessions each of the two crops fro germination, survival and growth. The mitotic divisons of the accessions of G. max were further examined. The plant height, dry matter content, leaf area, chlorophyll content and pod production rate of the TGX 1440-1E accession of G. Max was also accessed. This was followed by investigating the impact the TGX-1440-1E accession of G. max had on the characteristics of soil polluted with crude oil. The influence of the addition of cow dung to soil polluted with crude oil was also determined. The microbial load and diversity of the soil used in the studies were also carried out.

The accession of G. max and L.esculetum responded differently crude oil pollution. L.esculentum had greater survival while G.max grew better than L.esculentum.  The rate of mitotic division in the accessions of G.max was adversely affected by crude oil pollution. The growth performance of the chosen accession (TGX 1440-1E of G.max) was hindered by crude oil pollution. However, the growth of the chosen accession led to improved soil conditions and that was enhanced by the addition of cow dung to the polluted soil.