Effects of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil on Biomass Accumulation in Jatropha curcas L. Seedlings

A study was conducted in 2010 to investigate the effects of crude oil contaminated soil on biomass accumulation in Jatropha curcas seedlings in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Oil levels used were 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0% w/w. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications and monitored for 12 weeks after transplanting. Results showed that contamination of soil with crude oil significantly reduced (P?0.05) biomass accumulation when compared with seedlings grown in the uncontaminated subplots. A negative interaction was observed between the soil crude oil level and weight gained in J. curcas seedlings. For instance, while the fresh weight of seedlings grown in 0.0% w/w of oil was 3.0g, as low as 2.1g was recorded for seedling exposed to 10.0g w/w of the oil. This study has demonstrated that crude oil contamination of soil has a significant effect of reducing the biomass accumulation in the seedlings of Jatropha crucas.