Influence of sub-lethal concentrations of crude oil on tomato yield and quality

Abstract

Heavy crude oil spills have been recorded to have detrimental effects on the soil properties of agricultural lands and the eventual agricultural produce. However, the influence of sub-lethal concentrations of crude oil on crop quality is not clearly understood. Hence, the present study assessed the response of Micro-Tom tomato fruits to low concentrations of crude oil. Although the range of crude oil concentrations used in this research had no significant effect on most of the nutritional and phytochemical parameters tested, the growth, yield, fruit production and ripening of the Micro-Tom tomato fruits were affected at crude oil remediation intervention value (CRIV) of 5,000 mg/kg TPH.The usual trend of organic acids' distribution in tomatoes was also altered. The experimental results re-affirmed that apart from genetics, environmental factors -such as crude oil contamination -may influence tomato fruit quality and yield. Nonetheless, the research findings suggest that crude oil-contaminated sites at ≤ 3,000 mg/kg TPH presents a similar growing environment to a clean site for the cultivation of sensitive crops with reduced negative impact on crop quality.

Understanding the Impacts of Crude Oil and its Induced Abiotic Stresses on Agrifood Production: A Review

“…Source: Odukoya [5]. Odukoya et al [5,22] also recorded that crude oil contamination at concentration as low as 5000 mg/kg TPH affected the growth, yield, fruit production, and ripening of Micro-Tom tomato fruits ( Figure 5). Odukoya et al [5,22] also recorded that crude oil contamination at concentration as low as 5000 mg/kg TPH affected the growth, yield, fruit production, and ripening of Micro-Tom tomato fruits ( Figure 5).…”

“…Retardation of plant growth may also occur as the plants make efforts to conserve and reallocate resources that can become limited under extreme stress conditions [48]. Odukoya et al [5,22] also recorded that crude oil contamination at concentration as low as 5000 mg/kg TPH affected the growth, yield, fruit production, and ripening of Micro-Tom tomato fruits ( Figure 5). Considering the effect of time of spillage on plant response, Baker [38] reported that application of an emulsion of light oil on young plants in the light when the stomata are opened will lead to death of the plant while the same application at night when the stomata are closed would not harm them.…”