Phytotoxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Co-Contamination in Soil during Economic Legume Seedling Growth

Abstract

This research studied combined toxicities of 4 generally found Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - anthracene, fluorene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene – during growth of 3 legume seedlings - cow pea, mungbean, and longbean - planted in varied combination of PAH contaminant in soil. Results showed that mungbean growth was more sensitive to PAH co-contaminated soil than cow pea and longbean. Co-contamination of all 4 PAHs was more toxic to legume than each pair of PAHs. Shoot length and fresh weight of legume seedling were more sensitive to co-contamination of all 4 PAHs than root length. Dry weight of legume seedling was the least sensitive to co-contamination of all PAHs.