Effects of gas flaring on some growth indices of maize.

Abstract

Investigation on the effects of gas flaring on some growth indices of maize was conducted at the SPDC flow station, Elelenwo. Three weeks old healthy seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.) were raised in the nursery before transferring to the field. Five pots (40cm x 50cm each) containing some maize plants were placed at different distances away from the point of gas flare. These placements were 30m, 35m, 40m, 45m and 500m (control) away from the point of flare respectively. The plants were watered twice a week. The plant height, leaf length, breadth and leaf area of Z. mays were measured weekly while shoot dry weight was measured after 12 weeks. The result showed that gas flare caused a decrease in plant height, leaf area and shoot dry weight of maize plant. These effects decreased with increasing distance away from the gas flare point. There was significant different at P<0.05 when the control was compared with other treatments. The means of the parameters analysed were significantly different when subjected to multiple comparison using least significant difference (LSD) test at P<0.05. The maize plants placed at 30m away from the gas flare point were scorched and plants withered due to excessive heat from the flare while 35m and 40m placements dried up and oily particles were found on the leaves.

Key words: Effect, Gas flaring, Growth, Maize