Screening of telfairia occidentalis hook in crude oil contaminated soil amended with goat dung using physiological indices

Selected physiological indices were used as screening tool in evaluating the response of Telfairia occidentalis Hook to crude oil polluted soil amended with goat dung. Pollution treatment was obtained by mixing two kilograms (2kg) of sandy-loam soil with 100ml of crude oil, alongside a control treatment- 0ml (unpolluted soil). The organic supplement was added at the rate of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg to 100ml level of crude oil polluted soils and placed in perforated polythene bags. Three (3) seeds of T. occidentalis were maintained in each polythene bag based on treatment. Chemical properties of experimental soils were examined before and after harvest. There were significant (P< 0.05) reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen contents of contaminated soils relative to the control (unpolluted soil).The plant height, root length, leaf number and shoot/root ratio showed significant (P < 0.05) reductions in contaminated soils comparable with unpolluted treatment. Although, the crop growth parameters were improved with the application of goat dung, the values recorded were comparatively lower than those of the control (unpolluted soil). This study suggests that organic supplement such as goat dung has the potential of remediating the adverse effects of crude oil pollution by improving the soil physical and chemical properties as well as supplying the readily available nutrients for growth and development of the test crop.