VEGETATIVE PARAMETERS AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENTS OF OKRA (Abelmeschus esculentus L.) AND MELON (Citrulus colocynthis L.) IN A CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SOIL AMENDED WITH COW-DUNG AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

The vegetative parameters and chlorophyll contents of Okra (Abelmeschus esculentus L.) and Melon (Citrulus colocynthis L.) in a crude oil polluted soil amended with cow-dung and hydrogen peroxide were investigated. 5kg soil was polluted with 200 ml of crude oil (4% v/w) alongside a control (no pollution). A completely randomized design comprising T1 (Polluted soil + 1.2 kg cow dung), T2 (polluted soil + 1000 ml H2O2), T3 (polluted soil + 0.6 kg cow dung +500 ml H2O2), T 4 (Polluted soil without amendment) and T5 (Unpolluted soil without amendment was used. Each treatment was separated into 2 sets (A and B). Okra and melon planted into each set of A and B respectively after one month post-remediation was monitored for 8 weeks. Vegetative parameters (germination percentage, plant height, leaf numbers, leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight) and chlorophyll content were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of the amendments significantly improved the vegetative parameters and chlorophyll content of the plants. The vegetative improvement was in the order: T1 > T3 >T5 > T2 >T4 for the two crops. The chlorophyll content was T2 > T1 >T5 > T3 >T4. Therefore, use of cow-dung and H2O2 have been proven to be effective remediation materials in crude oil polluted soil for improve performance of okra and melon and; cow-dung alone is the best treatment option.