Impact of Crude Oil Polluted Soil on Seedling Morphological Characteristics and Biomass Accumulation of Monodora myristica (African Nutmeg)

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of crude oil polluted soil on the morphological characteristics and biomass accumulation of Monodora myristica seedling. The study was carried out in the forest nursery of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria using standard field experimental methods. Significant variations (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in seedling height and biomass while number of leaves and collar diameter displayed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments. The result shows that M. myristica seedlings are not tolerant to crude oil pollution. The trend in growth parameters measured showed that increased level of crude oil reduced growth. It is recommended that M. myristica seedlings should not be raised in crude oil polluted soils or be used in crude oil pollution remediation programmes due to its poor growth performance.