Growth And Anatomy Of Amaranthus Hybridus As Affected By Different Crude Oil Concentrations

ABSTRACT

The response of growth and anatomy of A. hybridus in provoked crude oil contamination was investigated using 25% - 100% crude oil and a control. For parameters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight, the mean values obtained were higher for control (0%) than for others (25 — 100%). The 100% concentration was lethal to plant grown in it, as they all died within 10 days after planting. Plants in higher concentration (50 — 75%) exhibited greater sinuosity in their epidermal cell walls than those of 0 — 25%. Stomatal index progressively decreased as the crude oil concentration increased. Also the thickness of the cuticular layers and around the parenchyma cells were more prominent in A. hybridus grown in stern and root were observed to be lying tangentially and much smaller in size compared to that of 0 — 25% where they were round and bigger.