<b>DISTRIBUTION OF MAJOR ELEMENTS (NA, K, CA, MG) IN THE VARIOUS ANATOMICAL PARTS OF FADAMA CROPS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA</b>

Abstract

Levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined in plant organs (bud, flowers, fruit, seed, leaves, stems, roots, cobs, styles, shaft, grains and efflorescences) of three Fadama farms located in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The highest levels of Mg, K, Na and Ca were obtained in the bud of Hibiscus esculentus with respective values (ppm dry weight, ppm DW) of 4397, 2983, 3928 and 1622; this was closely followed by their levels in Lycopersicon esculentum root: Mg (2734), K (1079), Na (2111) and Ca (678). The levels of all the elements were highly varied in the anatomical parts of each plant and between the various plants. The index of bioaccumulation (ratio in plants/soil) was recorded for all the elements with all values falling within 1-10¹ showing that the degree of accumulation was intensive. The overall levels of the elements were Mg > Na > K > Ca.

KEY WORDS: Fadama crop parts, Major elements, Concentration ranking, Intensive bioaccumulation


Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2005, 19(2), 175-183.