NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org

THE EFFECTS OF BALLAST WATER FROM BRACKISH WATER AND OBSERVED TEMPERATURE VARIATION ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RED PEPPER (CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS L.).

DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.16.068.1   |   Article Number: ECEF9919   |   Vol.14 (1) - July 2016

Authors:  Olorunfemi D. I and Egboduku W. O

Keywords: Ballast water, Capsicum frutescens L., concentrations, development, growth, increased temperature

ABSTRACT

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Ballast water is mostly sea water placed on hold in ships to ensure stability while on board. Lack of enforced regulations on ballast exchange resulted in its indiscriminate discharge without considering its consequences on plants and our environment. The effects of ballast water (25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations) and increased temperature (observed in the screen house) on the growth and development of Capsicum frutescens were studied. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design at the experimental screen house of Plant Biology Biotechnology, University of Benin, for 15 weeks. The results (expressed in ppm or mg/l) showed that pH, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, electrical conductivity (1067µg/cm), TDS (0.41 ppm), BOD (2.6 ppm), TSS (0.38 ppm) and chlorides (561.22 ppm) were within the accepted standards of WHO and NESREA. They showed that ballast water would be suitable for watering plants. The water enhanced the growth of the test plant. Significant difference was not observed at 5% level (P < 0.05) in the parameters tested for C. frutescens. Temperature increase was observed as the factor because the control plants cultivated outside the screen house flowered and fruited. Since high electrical conductivity and alkalinity observed in the ballast is an indication of toxicity, further study is therefore recommended to access the metal uptake and cytotoxicity of the test plant to know if the plant treated with ballast water would be suitable for consumption.

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