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ABSTRACT
The effect of spent engine oil on the growth of Pennisetum purpureum Schumach as well as the tolerance limit of the grass in a spent engine oil polluted soil were investigated in this study. The soils were contaminated with different concentrations of spent engine oil to obtain 0.0 (control), 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32L/kg and each treatment was replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Soil analysis showed that SEO increased the pH of the soil compared to the control treatment. The organic carbon and moisture content of the contaminated soil also increased compared to the control. There was also a decrease in Phosphorous due to soil contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cu and Zn) and total hydrocarbon concentrations of soil increased with increasing concentration of oil. The plant biomass showed a 30% significant reduction with increasing concentration of oil. Plant growth attributes such as plant height, leaf number, leaf area, number of tillers were adversely affected in the high spent engine oil concentrations but at lower concentrations (0.08, 0.04 and 0.02 L/kg) were able to tolerate the effect of the spent engine oil.
