Growth of seashore paspalum, (Paspalum vaginatum L) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum .) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediation. @ JASEM