ABSTRACT

 This research was conducted with sole aim of investigating the effect of rubber effluent on the group, morphology and plant based compound of Pontederia crassipes. Samples of the macrophyte were obtained from temgboga in Edo State and transported to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, where they were used for the experiment conducted in the screen house. The experimental treatments consisted of 0 (control),5, 10, 15 and 20 % v/v. Using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replicates per treatments, the plants were exposed to the treatments for 13 days. P. crassipes samples grown in rubber effluent showed significant decrease (p<0.01) in all morphological parameters observed. When compared with the control. Wilting, chlorosis and necrosis were observed in some of the plants treated with 5 % v/v and 10 % v/v. The plants showed remarkable increase in the accumulation of heavy metals with concentration being more in the roots than in the shoots. Observations obtained in this study revealed that rubber effluent impact macrophyte parameters at higher concentration levels. The study further suggests the need for more intensive research to fully understand the impacts of rubber effluent on aquatic plants.