Abdullahi Alanamu Abdulrahaman
University of Ilorin
Title: Anatomical and physiological effects of spent-engione oil on two varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Malvaceae. (Effects of spent-engine oil on performance of Abelmoschus esculentus)
Biography
Biography: Abdullahi Alanamu Abdulrahaman
Abstract
The effect of different levels of spent engine oil application on germination, survival, growth, leaf anatomy, yield, nutrient content and heavy metals uptake of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus- Clemson spineless variety and 40 days local variety) was assessed in this study. Completely randomized design was used with five treatment levels of spent engine oil at 0 ml (control), 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml and 200 ml applied to 5 kg of soil. Data on germination, seedling survival, growth, chlorophyll nutrient and heavy metal content as well as leaf epidermal features collected from the study were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analysis. Spent engine oil at 200 ml per pot significantly (P<0.05) delayed and reduced seed germination for 4 days to 2 weeks and to approximately 24% compared to the control. Plant height was reduced by 36.3%, number of leaves by 22.20%, leaf area by 21.33%, chlorophyll A was reduced by 48.66%, Chlorophyll B by 41.50 (p< 0.05) compared to the control. Number of stomata was increased on the adaxial surface by 57.73%, and on the abaxial surface by 34.99%, stomata area was reduced on the adaxial surface by 72.89% and on the abaxial by 71.79% (p< 0.05). For A. esculentus 40 days variety, the number of fruits was reduced by 67.4% and fruit dry weight was reduced by 13.58% (p< 0.05), while plants of A. esculentus Clemson spineless variety Na contents in plants was increased by 0.40 mgkg-1, K contents was increased in 40 days local and Clemson spineless varieties by 3.3109 mgkg-1 and 6.2698 mgkg-1 (p<0.05) respectively. Cr, Cd and Fe contents of the plants were increased by 1.13 mgkg-1 and 0.0178 mgkg-1 respectively. This study has shown that plant constituents and anatomy can be influenced by spent oil contamination. Contamination of soil with spent engine oil therefore should be avoided in order to ensure sustainable crop plant productivity and risk of heavy metals toxicity of human beings.