GROWTH COMPARISON OF FOUR ARABLE CROPS ON THE POLLUTED AND UNPOLLUTED SOILS OF BODO CITY IN OGONI LAND RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of this research was to ascertain the effects of crude oil spill on agricultural soil and plant growth. The soil samples were collected from cultivated area that is not affected by spill and crude oil polluted site both in Bodo city in Gokana Local Government Area of River State and were taken to Campus II Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State. Four selected vital crops were sown on these soils to determine the plant growth response due to the presence of crude oil contamination. The unpolluted soil was used as a control as compared to the polluted one. The parameters analyzed were soil moisture content, pH, Electrical conductivity (E.C), total hydrocarbon content (THC), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, sand, silt and clay. The study revealed that there were adverse effects of crude oil pollution on soil nutrients, fertility as well as plant growth and production. It was also observed that the polluted agricultural land had high concentration of zinc, lead, cadmium and Chromium that are above the limit set in the National Standard for heavy metal pollution on soil. The people’s livelihood as well as their food security is a function of the healthy state of the soil for plant production for sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that the UNEP Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoni land should be implemented with immediate effect to ameliorate the native effects of crude oil spill on vital food crops of the Ogoni people.