Abstract

Good growth media stimulate germination and support growth of seedlings.  In a study to investigate crude oil influence on plumule emergence and germination of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker. An experiment to deter emergence of plumule and germination growth potential of this indigenous plant species, D. tripettela was carried out in forest nursery of FRIN- Onne, Nigeria.  Parameters evaluating the effect of pollutant dosage on seed and seedlings were monitored for four weeks after planting (4WAP).  The study used six doses of crude oil as treatments to determine the influence of varying concentration of pollutant on plumule emergence of the species. The research shows significant difference (p=0.05) for plumule emergence and percentage germination of seeds of various dosage. Observation showed initial and early plumule emergence in S0 (control) with progressive growth throughout the experiment against the other treatments (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) with polluted media that with delayed plumule emergence and loss of germinated seedlings as the experiment progresses. The result shows that crude oil does not affect germination of seed only, it can influence seedling growth and possibly lead to seeds and seedlings mortality. For further confirmation, same study can be carried out with less dosage of crude oil on same species and same dosage on other indigenous plants.

Key Words: Germination, Dosage, Dennettia tripetala, Plumule, Pollutant