Impact of Light Crude Oil Contamination on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Zea Mays L

This study explores the dose-dependent impacts of light crude oil contamination on seed germination and seedling growth in Zea mays L. (maize), a critical agricultural species. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of light crude oil in soil would progressively suppress germination kinetics and seedling vigor. To test this, Zea mays seeds were exposed to light crude oil at concentrations ranging from 0.0% to 10.0% (v/v) mixed with soil. The experimental design included a control group treated with distilled water to establish baseline germination and growth metrics. Results revealed a clear concentration-dependent phytotoxic effect. Germination percentage significantly declined from 93.3% in the control to 40.0% at 8.0% (v/v) oil concentration (p < 0.05), with complete inhibition of germination observed at 10.0% (v/v). Seedling vigor, assessed through shoot length, exhibited a drastic 93% reduction at 8.0% (v/v) compared to the control, while concentrations up to 4.0% (v/v) showed minimal impact on growth. Germination indices, such as Mean Germination Time (MGT) and Coefficient of Velocity of Germination (CGV), further corroborated the inhibitory effects, with higher oil concentrations delaying and reducing germination rates. These findings suggest a phytotoxicity threshold for Zea mays around 6.0% (v/v) light crude oil, beyond which severe impairments occur. The data provide valuable insights for developing phytoremediation strategies in oil-contaminated agricultural soils. However, the study’s limitations include its focus on a single species and the absence of field-based validation, necessitating further research to confirm these findings under natural conditions and across diverse plant species.