EFFECT OF VARYING CONCENTRATIONS OF SPENT LUBRICATING OIL CONTAMINATED SOILS ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA (LINN)

The effect of Spent Lubricating Oil (SLO) contaminated soils on seeds and seedlings of Adansonia digitata (Linn) were investigated to assess the level of SLO that will produce the best seedling performance. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. The spent lubricating oil levels were 0ml (Control), 20ml, 40ml, 60ml, 80ml, 100ml 120ml, 140ml with 3kg of top soil. Parameters assessed were germination percentage (%), seedlings height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf production and leaf area (cm2). The result showed that seedlings in oil contaminated soil gave different responses to the level of spent lubricating oil concentrations, T1 (Control) gave the best performance in all parameters assessed; seedling height (12.77 cm), leaf production (7.6), stem diameter (0.85mm), and leaf area (38.60 cm2). There was no significant difference among treatments in seedling height (cm¬), leaf area (cm2) and leaf production at 5% level of probability but there were significant difference among treatments in stem diameter (cm2) at 5% level of probability. It was therefore recommended that Adansonia digitata should be adopted for reclamation of land where the use of Spent Lubricating Oil is prominent to an extent