EFFECTS OF DUMPSITE SOILS ON MAIZE YIELD IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

This study examined the effect of dumpsite soils on maize yeild in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Dump site soil samples were collected from three locations (Njemanze, Mileone flyover and Chinda) and the control soil from Rivers State University. The soil samples were analysed for N, P, K, Mg and Zn. Results of the soil analysis showed high nutrient concentrations in the dumpsite soils than the control except for poatassium.  The results also showed that there were slight differences in the nutrient profile of the dumpsite soils with nutrient analysis of total nitrogen (1.17±0.003, 0.92±0.006, 0.54±0.003 and 0.08±0.001), phosphorus (10,11±0.08, 9.31±0.06, 9.58±0.03 and 1.32±0.005),  magnesium (60.541±1.67, 67.384±3,89, 113.307±5.09 and 22.311±0.23),   potassium (3702.236±6.03, 3345.778±3.90, 5770.125±9.34 and  7501.789±11.56)   and zinc (142.303±3.04, 2837.142±12.45, 163.141±2.06 and 38.903±1.11) for Njemanze, Mileone flyover, Chinda and control respectively. Yield assessment revealed highest and lowest weight and length of cob for Chindah and Njemanze respectively. Mileone flyover recorded highest width of cob (4.0) while lowest width (3.6) was observed for Njemanze. Generally, the nutrient levels in the dumpsite soils were high and resulted to higher yield of maize. The use of dumpsite soils portends a greater agricultural yield for maize growth and should be encouraged but care should be taken to avoid soils that are heavy metal impacted as this is detrimental to health

HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GRAIN GROWN ON DIFFERENT DUMPSITE SOILS

This study was carried out at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, in Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Nigeria with the aim of investigating heavy metal accumulation in maize grain grown on different dumpsite soils. Soils used were collected from three different locations with the control; Njemanze Dumpsite, Mile One Flyover Dumpsite and Chinda by Iwofe Dumpsite and analyzed for the presence of the following heavy metals; Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Silver (Ag), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg). Soil from Rivers State University Botanical Garden was used as control soil. The soils were analysed using the American Public Health Association (APHA 3111C) method to determine the heavy metal concentration level. The seeds of maize were sown into polybags containing the different soils and the maize plants were allowed to grow to maturity. The result showed the presence of heavy metals in all soil samples with Mile One Flyover Dumpsite having the highest concentrations (Cd; 46.771, Cr; 61.885, Ag 18.629, Pb; 354.386, Hg; 170.474) and RSU (Control soil) had the least concentrations (Cd; <0.001, Cr; 12.295, Ag; <0.001, Pb; <0.001, Hg; <0.0005) of the metals. The heavy metals in the maize grains of the matured maize plants were analysed. The result showed the maize grains of the plants in the soil from Mile One Flyover Dumpsite had high concentrations while the control soil from Rivers State University had low concentrations except Cr that was slightly high when compared to WHO standard