Effect of generator (exhaust) fumes on the growth and development of <i>Lycopersicum esculentus</i> (tomato)

Abstract

The effects of generator (Exhaust) Fumes on the growth and development of Lycopersicum esculentus were evaluated in this study. It involved sowing ten seeds of L. esculentus in plastic pots. These were allowed to germinate and stabilize for two weeks after which they were exposed to 0.75KVA generator fumes 8 hours a day at the distance of 3 m, 6 m, and 9 m respectively from the source while the control was retained at the planting site. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient at 5% level of significance. Although the mean dry weights of the plants increased as the distance of the plants from the source of pollution increased, only the 3 m treatment led to significant reduction of the growth rate of the seedlings (p < 0.05). The heights of  the plants were adversely affected by the fume emission especially at the distance of 3 m away from the source (p < 0.05). The leaf number per plant increased as the distance of the plants from the source of pollution increased with significant effects on plant from distance of 3 m and 6 m at the later stage of their growth (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the plants in the different treatments for the different parameters measured.. Farmers should locate their farmlands at a distance of at least 50 km away from the factories to minimize effect of air pollutants and the government should also place a ban on importation of old generators.

Keywords: generator fume, emission, Lycopersicum esculentus, growth, germination