Investigation on the effect of cassava effluent-polluted soil on germination, emergence and oxidative stress parameters of Telferia occidentalis

The effect of cassava effluent-polluted soil on germination, emergence and oxidative stress parameters of Telferia occidentalis from soil exposed to the effluent over a long period of time was studied. Telferis occidentalis leaves from soil samples devoid of cassava effluent served as the control. T. occidentalis seeds from soil samples devoid of cassava effluent-polluted soil samples showed 100% germination and emergence while those from cassava effluent-polluted soil samples had 50% germination and emergence after fifteen days. Results showed that there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in all the oxidative stress parameters investigated from the aqueous leaf extracts of T. occidentalis from cassava effluent-polluted soil samples when compared to the control indicating that cassava effluent-pollution might have induced stress on T. occidentalis leaves and delayed germination and emergence of the seeds. Hydrogen cyanide in cassava effluent-polluted soil induced stress on plant when absorbed in high concentration. Cyanide has a toxic effect on the normal metabolism of plants. Plants/vegetables growing on high cassava effluent- polluted soil exhibit characteristics of unhealthy growth which effect their nutritive and market values.