Impacts of different concentrations of spent carbide waste on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays linn,.) And groundnut (Arachis hypogea linn.)

Abstract

The impacts of different concentrations of spent carbide waste on the growth and yield of Zea mays Linn. (maize) and Arachis hypogea Linn. (groundnut) were studied at the screen house, Botanic garden, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The crops were planted in carbide waste concentrations of 40g, 80g, 120g, and 160g per 2,8 kg of soil alongside a control in bags of height 20.5cm. Results indicated that carbide waste had significant (p=0.05) adverse affects on plant height, fresh weight and dry weight yield of the two crops (maize and groundnut) especially at 120g and 160g carbide waste concentrations. Results also showed that Zea mays experienced highest yield in total fresh weight (3.59±0.11), shoot dry weight (0.99±0.02), and total dry weight (1.33±0.06) at 80g carbide waste; while Arachis hypogea showed highest yield in total fresh weight (4.53±1.2), shoot dry weight (1.32±0.1), root dry weight (0.32±0.02), and total dry weight (1.64±0.01) in 40g carbide waste. These values were significantly (p=0.05) higher than their respective controls. Shoot-root ratios of the two crops and the soil pH were found to increase with increasing carbide waste concentrations. It therefore, means that these two crops can tolerate carbide waste pollutant at low concentrations but the phytotoxicity of this waste was high at higher concentrations.