Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of air pollution on agriculture in Eleme, Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The air quality in selected locations in Eleme were monitored, as well as crop pathology and laboratory analysis of crops. Although, small-scale subsistence agriculture is the most common farming system practiced in the area. Cassava, pumpkins, plantains, maize and yams are the dominant crops found on the farmlands. It was observed that concentration of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3) and exceeded the USEPA standards for the protection of crops significantly. While suspended particulate matter (SPM) is slightly high in all sampling locations. However, O3, SO2 and NO2 and SPM are the most significant air pollutants that adversely affected the agricultural crops within the area. Although, Cucumber, cocoyam, yams, maize, okras, plantains, cassavas, pumpkins and pawpaw were found to be susceptible to air pollution damage. Statistical analysis showed that there is significant decrease in crop yield between the 2017/2018 harvest season and the 2016/2017 harvest season (F = 20.3; p< 0.05; 95%Cl.). These pollutants can lead to serious reductions of crop growth and yields, a situation which may be aggravated in the future. Air pollution causes approximately 38.3% crop losses in Eleme annually. Hence, there is need for efficient monitoring and implementation of environmental standards for air quality control by regulatory agencies.Keywords: statistical analysis; effect of air pollution; agricultural yield; plant pathology; selected crops
Highlights
Plant injury from ambient air pollutants forms a major consideration in the adoption of air pollution control strategies (Adams et al, 1984)
Cocoyam, yams, maize, okras, plantains, cassavas, pumpkins and pawpaw were some of the crops susceptible to air pollution damage in Eleme
Field monitoring and data analysis indicate that concentration of SO2, NO2, O3, and particulates exceeded the USEPA standards for the protection of crops
Summary
Plant injury from ambient air pollutants forms a major consideration in the adoption of air pollution control strategies (Adams et al, 1984). Nitrogen oxides are reactive with organic VOCs in the presence of sunlight to form photochemical smog (ground level O3). These chemical compounds have been found to cause acid rain, the deposition of which causes damage to crops and reduce soil fertility (Rao and Rao, 2005). Some of these gases have direct effects on plants and crop yields, while some undergo transformation in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds such as nitric and sulphuric acids These acids are washed out by rain and deposited on soil resulting in soil infertility. This study seeks to evaluate the potential impacts of air pollution on agricultural productivity
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