Morphological and Biochemical Response of Cassava (Manihot esculentus, Crantz) to Spent Carbide and Diesel Oil Wastes

Aim: To determine the morphological and biochemical response of cassava (Manihot esculentus, Crantz) to spent carbide (SC) and diesel oil (DO) wastes.

Place and Duration of Study: The 14 week experimental trial was conducted at University of Port Harcourt Ecological Centre field.

Methodology: The treatments consisted of 8 concentrations of SC and DO wastes alongside a control. These were: A – Control (no pollutant application); B – 50 g SC and 100 ml DO; C – 100 g SC and 50 ml DO; D – 100 g SC and 100 ml DO; E – 50 g SC and 50 ml DO; F – 100 ml DO; G – 50 ml DO; H – 50 g SC; I – 100 mg SC were used in a 2 kg soil each and laid in a completely randomized design with 5 replications.

Results: Results showed that 50 g and 100 g SC treatments improved the shoot length, leaf area and number; and biomass (fresh weight, dry weights and shoot-root ratio) yields of cassava while reductions were observed in DO (single or mixed application) as compare to the control. The chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents of cassava were negatively affected with the exception of 100 g SC/50 ml DO treatment in which the chlorophyll content was significantly higher than the control.

Conclusion: Therefore, SC at 50 and 100 g single treatments have stimulatory effect while DO have inhibitory effect on cassava. Hence, designated sites should be created for the dumping of such wastes to avoid dumping on nearby farmlands.