MJ EMEJELU

Presence of oil in the soil – plant microenvironment influences normal chemistry of soil wherein the release of nutrient and uptake and also the quantity of water is reduced. The present study assessed the effect of oil contaminated soil on the growth and development of maize (Zea mays) over a period of 38 days. Result of the study revealed that oil contaminated soil affect the growth of maize in varying degree. The growth in height, root length and leaf area was evaluated using soil contaminated with oil at 25%, 50%, 75% 100% concentration and a control sample. Result showed that there was gradual decrease in height of maize with increasing concentration and the control sample recorded the greatest height. At 10 to 38 days after planting (DAP) lowest growth in height was observed in 100% sample. Also, there was a steady decrease in length of root as the concentration increases while the control sample had the greatest length throughout the experiment. The leaf area of maize gradually decreases as the concentration increases. The control sample also had the greatest leaf area. Lowest growth in leaf area at 10 to 38 days after planting (DAP) was observed in the 100% concentration. This shows that soil contamination with oil affects plants growth and development. It is recommended that care should be taken during oil exploration, exploitation, processing, storage and distribution to avoid contamination of soil by oil which will affect crops leading food shortage. Furthermore, remediation should be carried out on soils that have been previously contaminated.