TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION i
DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF PLATES ix
LIST OF FIGURES x
LIST OF TABLES xi
ABSTRACT xii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3 Objective of the Study 3
1.4 Justification of the Study 3
CHAPTER TWO 4
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 4
2.1 Botanical Description of Cucumis melo 4
2.2 Classification of Musk Melon 6
2.3 Ecology of Musk Melon 7
2.4 Geographical Distribution of Cucumis melo 7
2.5.1 Medicinal Value 8
2.5.2 Traditional Uses 10
2.5.3 Food Value 11
2.5.4 Commercial Value 12
2.5.5 Potentials 12
2.6 Pests of Musk Melon 12
2.7 Nutritional Content of a Cup of Musk Melon Seed. 13
2.8 Nutrients 14
2.9 Anti-Nutrients 16
2.9.1 Saponin 16
2.9.2 Cyanide 16
2.9.3 Oxalate 16
2.9.4 Phytate 16
2.10 ORGANIC MANURE 17
2.12 BIOREMEDIATION 18
2.12 Types of Bioremediation 23
2.12.1 In-situ Bioremediation 23
2.12.2 Ex-situ Bioremediation 25
2.13 Bioremediation Techniques 26
CHAPTER THREE 29
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 29
3.1 Collection And Identification of Research Materials 29
3.2 Study Area 29
3.3 Soil Analysis 29
3.4 Bioremediation Treatment 30
3.5 Pre-Germination Studies 30
3.6 Determination of Growth Parameters 30
3.7 Proximate Analysis 30
3.7.1 Preparation of Sample for Subsequent Proximate Analyses 30
3.7.2 Determination of Moisture Content 31
3.7.3 Determination of Ash and Organic Matter 31
3.7.4 Estimation of Crude Fibre 32
3.7.5 Determination of Crude Fats (Lipids) 33
3.7.6 Crude Protein Determination 34
3.7.7 Determination of Carbohydrate (CHO) 35
3.8 DETERMINATION OF ANTI-NUTRIENTS (TOXICANTS) 35
3.8.1 Determination of Tannins 35
3.8.2 Determination of Phytate (Phytic acid) 36
3.8.3 Oxalate Determination by Titration Method 37
3.9 Statistical Analysis 39
CHAPTER FOUR 40
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 40
4.1 Physicochemical Analysis of Soil 40
4.2 Morphological Properties of Musk Melon 41
4.3 Proximate composition 42
4.4 Mineral Analysis 43
4.5 Anti-nutrients 44
CHAPTER FIVE 45
5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45
5.1 Discussion 45
5.2 Conclusion 49
5.3 Recommendations 49
REFERENCES 51
LIST OF PLATES
Plate 1: Fruit of Cucumis melo 5
Plate 2: Leaf of Cucumis melo. 5
Plate 3: Flower of Cucumis melo 6
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 4.1: Anti-nutrients of Soil with different treatment regimes 44
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Nutritional Content of Musk melon Seed. 13
Table 4.1: Physicochemical Properties of the experimental soil 41
Table 4.2: Morphological Properties of Musk Melon plant 42
Table 4.3: Proximate composition of Soil with different treatment regimes 43
ABSTRACT
This research examines the influence of used engine oil polluted soil amended with poultry manure on some growth responses of Cucumis melo. The soil samples were prepared by properly mixing 10, 20 and 30ml of used engine oil into the soil with exception to the soil samples for the control and subsequently mixing (10g, 20g and 30g) poultry manure in the polluted soil sample apart from the control. Cucumis melo was planted and monitored for sixteen (16) weeks in polybags with identification tags. Results for the root length, shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, mineral compositions, proximate compositions, anti-nutrients as well as the physical and chemical properties of the treated soil were measured and analyzed. The result of the analysis showed a significant difference in all growth parameters except for the number of leaves. From the result, it was observed that the engine oil pollution reduces the percentage but yield increases as the quantity of manure increases. Growth parameters of Cucumis melo and application of poultry manure enhanced the germination and growth parameters.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Soil pollution especially through oil spillage has been identified to cause unsatisfactory growth in plants (Dejong, 1980). Previous studies has revealed that engine oil pollutants often resulted to insufficient aeration of the soil due to the displacement of air from the spaces between the soil particles, retard growth of plants, results in chlorosis of leaves and dehydration of plants (Rowell, 1977).
The disposal of used engine oil into gutters, water drains, open vacant plots and farms is a common practice in Nigeria especially by motor mechanics. This oil called waste engine oil is usually obtained after servicing and subsequently draining from automobile and generator engines and much of this oil is poured into the soil (Anoliefo and Vwioko, 2001).
Studies have shown that there are relatively large amounts of hydrocarbons on the used engine oil, including the highly toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Wang et al., 2002). Also most heavy metals such as V, Pb, Al, and Fe which were below detection in unused engine oil have been reported to give high values (ppm) in used oil. These heavy metals maybe retained in soils in the form of oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, exchangeable cations and or bound to organic matter in the soil (Yong, 2001). Studies has shown that a marked change in properties occur in soils polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons affecting the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of the soil. Oil pollution of soils leads to buildup of essential (organic C, P, Ca and Mg) and non essential (Pb, Zn, Fe, Co, Cu) elements in soil and the eventual translocation in plant tissues (Vwioko et al., 2006).
Although some heavy metals at low concentrations are essential micronutrients for plants but at high concentration they may metabolic disorders and growth inhibitions for most of the plant species (Fernandes and Henriquesa, 1991). However, plants respond differently to pollutants. Anoliefo and Vwioko (2001) reported that the contamination of soil with spent engine oil caused growth retardation in plants with the effect more adverse for tomato (Lycopercicon esculentum) than pepper (Capsicum annum).
Musk melon (Cucumis melo) is a major fruit vegetable and so study which aims at evaluating the effect of spent engine oil on soil properties and growth of musk melon is necessary.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Cucumis melo is a major fruit vegetable crop that is consumed locally and industrially hence, the studies on the effect of spent or used engine oil on the plant Cucumis melo growth and yield ascertain the effects of used engine oil on the soil and plant quality and the possibility of remediating soil polluted with used oil using manure (i.e. chicken droppings).
1.3 Objective of the Study
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of used engine oil amended with organic manure on physicochemical and nutraceutical levels of Cucumis melo and the objectives includes:
carrying out physicochemical analysis of the engine oil polluted soil.
Asses the nutraceutical composition of Cucumis melo leaves
make appropriate recommendation from the study to the general public and relevant agencies.
1.4 Justification of the Study
This work is a research done to justify the effects of used engine oil amended with organic manure on the nutrient levels of Cucumis melo, how it affects the nutraceutical level and therefore physiological makeup of the soil that makes it a majorly consumed fruit vegetable with high level of biologically active compounds which is widely affected by genotype and environmental conditions (Kayode et al., 2009).
