Effect of waste dumpsites on some soil chemical properties and performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Obio/Akpor Rivers State, Nigeria
Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Research Article
International Journal of Scholarly Research in Biology and Pharmacy, 2023, 02(02), 001–008.
Article DOI: 10.56781/ijsrbp.2023.2.2.0016
Publication history:
Received on 05 February 2023; revised on 22 March 2023; accepted on 24 March 2023
Abstract:
Study was conducted at the screen house of department of crop and soil science, University of Port Harcourt to investigate the influence of two waste dumpsites on soil chemical properties and performance of okra in Obio/Akpor. A composite soil samples was randomly collected at two depths (0-15 and 15-30) cm from two dumpsites from Choba and Rumunduru at a distance of (0-1) and 100 meters (control) away from the dumpsites. The soil was placed on 10kg perforated bucket; three seeds of okra were planted per bucket and later thinned to two after germination. It was left for eight weeks. The experiment was on complete randomized design. Results showed significant (P<0.05) increase in soil chemical properties (%TOC, available P, TN, Ca, Mg and K) in impacted zone (0-1)meter over control (100) meter away in the two dumpsites. The soil chemical properties were significantly higher in Rumunduru dumpsite than Choba. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in soil depths in the two locations, however, the concentration of soil chemical properties slightly decrease with increase in soil depth. There was a decrease in the concentration of heavy metals (Ni, Pb , Fe and Zn) along the main dumpsites away from the control in the two locations studied. Significant increase was observed in concentration of heavy metals in Rumunduru dumpsite over that of Choba. Concentration of the four metals decreased with increase in soil depth. All the metals were above the permissible limits with the exception of nickel. There was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in plant height on the impacted zone (0-1) m in distance over the reference point (control) in the two dumpsites. Significant difference was not noticed between the two soil depths, though the height was slightly higher at 0-15 depth than 15-30cm. Waste dumpsites affected negatively the plant performance especially at the impacted zone as there was retardation of growth and an increase in concentration of heavy metals.
Keywords:
Waste dumpsites; Chemical properties; Heavy metals; Plant performance
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