European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

European Journal of Scientific Research
ISSN 1450-216X Vol.14 No.3 (2006), pp. 401-406
© EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2006
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm
Seedling Growth of Gmelina Arborea (Roxb) as Influenced by
Crude Oil in Soil
Agbogidi, O. M
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture
Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State,Nigeria
E-mail: omagbogidi@yahoo.com
Dolor, D. E
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture
Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State,Nigeria
Okechukwu, E. M
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture
Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State,Nigeria
Abstract
A study was carried out in 2005 on the seedling growth of Gmelina arborea as
influenced by crude oil in soil in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out
in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0% (control), 4%, 8% and
12% wet weight (w/w) of crude oil) and replicated four times. Parameters measured at
different growth stages (1, 2 and 3 months after transplanting) were plant height, number of
leaves, leaf area, collar girth and dry weight biomass per seedling per treatment. The results
showed significant reductions (P=0.0.5) in all the growth characters assessed throughout
the experimental period in seedlings subjected to crude oil treatment when compared with
those grown in the uncontaminated soils. The height, number of leaves, leaf area and collar
girth of seedlings exposed to 12% oil treatment was 29. 6 cm, 6.3, 50.2 cm 2 and 1.0 cm
while those in the control soils were 49.4 cm, 17.8, 109.3 cm 2 and 2.2 cm at 2 months after
transplanting respectively. This study has demonstrated that crude oil contaminated soil
significantly reduced the performance of Gmelina seedlings. The present study indicated
that G. arborea could be tested for phyto – remediation studies in crude oil contaminated
areas.
Key words: Crude oil, soil contamination, seedling growth, Gmelina arborea.
Introduction
Gmelina, Gmelina arborea, a fast growing exotic tree species was first introduced to Nigeria in 1924
(Akoun et al., 2002). It is a fuel wood and a chew stick species. Goat and sheep relish G.arborea
greatly (Etukudo, 2000). With the current high cost of building materials, many people are using
wattles as support in wattle – and - daub houses and G. arborea is a popular species in this direction. In
the rain forest and derived savanna zones, G. arborea is recommended for use in our farms to supply
nitrogen to the soil (Etukudo, 2000). He maintained that G. arborea is among the trees recommended