Iyagba* A.G. and Offor U.S
Growth and heavy metals uptake of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis Hooker F.) on oil contaminated soil amended with siam weed (Choromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King and Robinson) leaves and sawdust were investigated. Application of amendments significantly influenced growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves and dry matter accumulation) of fluted pumpkin. From the results, treatment contaminated soil added with siam weed leaves and the control revealed highest overall growth performance and survival rate of the plant compared to plants grown in contaminated soil and treatment with sawdust. Uptake of heavy metals by fluted pumpkin and its sequestration varies among the treatments used. Treatments with sawdust enhanced higher and rapid uptake of heavy metals (1.5±0.12ab, 0.29±0.13bc, 0.36±0.3ab) as compared to amendments with siam weed leaves and contaminated soil alone. In addition, treatments with siam weed leaves gave higher tolerance index (87.6%) of the fluted pumpkin used while treatments with sawdust and untreated soil have 72.1% and 60.5% respectively. The leaves of fluted pumpkin were found to be suitable for uptake of heavy metals in an oil contaminated soil (Phytoextraction) and the plant can tolerate the effect of oil contamination in soil with the help of the amendments through successive biomass accumulation. The plant is therefore recommended as a potential Phytoremediator in an oil contaminated soil.
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