Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of spent engine oil on the germination and growth parameters
of Jatropha curcas. Jatropha curcas was grown on soils contaminated with 5ml, 10ml and 15ml
of spent engine oil to obtain 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75% contaminations respectively. The study was
carried out for 80 days after planting and growth parameters such as germination percentage, leaf
area, number of leaves and stem height were assessed at twenty day intervals for the entire
duration. Results showed that the germination percentage, mean leaf number, leaf area and plant
heights of Jatropha curcas decreased with increasing level of contamination with spent engine
oil. The highest mean leaf number (15.0) and stem height (16.7) were recorded for the control.
A significant difference (P? 0.05) in plant height, leaf area and leaf number was observed in the
control when compared to the contaminated samples. The plants in the contaminated samples
showed phytotoxicity (yellow leaf coloration, stunted growth) which was not observed in the
control. In summary, spent engine oil had negative impacts on the germination and growth of
Jatropha curcas. |
