EFFECT OF SPENT ENGINE OIL ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF AMARANTH

ABSTRACT

This trial focused on the potential of liquid organic fertilizer as bioremediant for spent engine oil polluted soils. It was carried out in the Screen House of the Department of Crop science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The study involved three concentrations of spent engine oil (0, 5 and 10% v/w, spent engine oil in 5kg soil) and four liquid organic fertilizers water (control), cattle dung, poultry manure and rabbit manure. It was laid in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement and filled into a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area at two, four, six and eight weeks after sowing. Spent engine oil pollution adversely affected number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth and herbage yield. Growth and herbage yield were significantly higher in liquid organic fertilizer amended spent engine oil polluted soil than with soils without amendment. Liquid poultry manure amended polluted soil plant had the highest herbage yield.