Assessment of the phytotoxicity of petroleum-polluted black soil in relation to agricultural and wild species of phytoremediator plants

Abstract

The effect of petroleum pollution on soil was assessed for its impact on the adaptation properties of 12 agricultural and 5 wild plant species. The influence of petroleum on seed germination was determined at concentrations of 1%, 3%, 4%, 6%, and 8% in the soil. Wild plants exhibited lower germination rates compared to cultivated species. For most cultivated plants, a 1% concentration of petroleum did not inhibit seed germination, but germination decreased to 60-80% of the control under concentrations of 2% and 4%. In soil containing 6% petroleum, peas, clover, alfalfa, and sunflower exhibited germination rates of more than 50%, while alfalfa and sunflower germinated only at an 8% concentration. The assessment of soil phytotoxicity revealed that sunflower plants are the most resistant to petroleum pollution. A comparison of resistance to soil petroleum pollution among four sunflower varieties showed that the ’Bombardir’ cultivar exhibited the best growth parameters.