Biochemical Characterization of Cassava Processing Waste Water and its Effect on the Growth of Maize Seedlings

The effect of cassava processing wastewater from four hybrid varieties of cassava (TMS 92/0057, NR 8082, TMS 92/0326 and TMS 30572), on the germination and early seedling growth of maize was studied in the laboratory. The physicochemical properties of the effluents and elements were analyzed using standard methods. The wastewater from these cassava varieties were highly acidic 4.0, 4.0, 4.10 and 4.20 in contrast to WHO allowable limit of 6.5-8.5 had a low BOD ranging from 1.6 – 2.45, while their HCN ranged from 12.96 – 16.86 mg/lwhich was observed to be very high as against FAO/WHO admissible maximum limit of less than 10mg/kg. The germination percentage, growth parameters and biomass were significantly (P= 0.05) reduced with increase in the acidic level of the effluents. Higher concentrations of the wastewater were inhibitory to the germination and early seedling growth of maize. The waste water from the four hybrid varieties of cassava increased the level of trace metal elements in Zea mays. Hybrid TMS 92/0326 was less toxic and is recommended to farmers. This study suggests that higher concentrations of cassava processing effluent could be detrimental to the germination and early seedling growth of Zea mays.Keywords: Biochemical, Characterization, Cassava. Wastewater, Maiz

Effect of Crude Oil Pollution of Soil and Amelioration Treatment on the Growth of Eight Varieties of Manihot Esculenta Crantz

ABSTRACT The effect of crude oil pollution of soil and amelioration treatment on the growth parameters of eight varieties of Manihot esculenta stem were carried out in the field using perforated polythene bags. The soil samples were polluted with four different levels of crude oil (0%, 2%,4% and 6%) and amended with organic supplement (goat and chicken droppings at a ratio of 1:1) at four rates of application (0, 10, 20, and 30 grammes) respectively and 0% served as control. Heavy metals were extracted from the improved varieties. The mean results obtained after sixteen weeks showed that plant height, leaf area, petiole length, internode length and crop yield decreased with increase in crude oil concentrations in the following varieties TMS/79/4779, TME/419, TMS/98/0057, NR8082 and TMS/92/0323. In 2% concentration of crude oil, growth was stimulated above the control and better yield in TMS/30572, TMS/97/0505 and TMS/96/0581 varieties. The quantity of trace elements such as Zn, Ni and Cr was increased while the quantity of Cd, Fe and Pb was reduced. This study recommended that varieties TMS/30572, TMS/97/0505 and TMS/96/0581 can be planted on the site polluted with crude oil and amended with organic supplements