Adaptive Capacity of two Varieties of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Crude Oil Polluted Soil

Abstract

Arachis hypogaea L. (Groundnut) production in Niger Delta, Nigeria is limited as the crop has not been well adapted to this region. This research was carried out to determine the adaptive capability of groundnut in crude oil polluted soil. Seeds of two varieties (Java and Bold Type) were planted in soil polluted with 0.8% and 0% of crude oil. Growth parameters were measured every 10 days up to 50 days after planting. Nodules were isolated from the roots 50 days after planting and cultured in YEMA solid medium and further subcultured in PDA medium to obtain pure cultures. Result showed that they adapted to the crude oil polluted soil with Java variety having the optimum agronomic performance, root architecture and rhizobium population. Nodules formed from day 10 to day 50 after planting shows that the highest number of nodules formation occurred on day 50 for the Java variety in polluted soil (32 nodules) while the bold variety had the lowest (5 nodules). Four fungal organisms identified in the pure-cultures were penicillium chrysogenum , Aspergillus niger , Mucor circinelloides , Botrydiplodia theobromae . This research suggested that the ability of groundnut to grow in crude oil polluted soil could be due to their root architecture and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Further adaptation studies should be carried out covering other part of Niger Delta region. Keywords: Groundnut, Nodule, Adaptive Capacity DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-4-06 Publication date: March 31 st 2023