The Effects of Waste Contaminated Soil on the Productive Capacity of Capsicum frutescens I. Yusuph, A. Raheem, V. Simpson, U. Aliboh, T.O.A Adeyemi, C. Igboanugo, and H. O. Sawyer ABSTRACT The effects of waste contaminated soil on the growth and yield o

The effects of waste contaminated soil on the growth and yield of Capsicum frutescens was studied. Soil samples were collected from: (1) chemical dump sites (2) Cocoa Processing Locations, (3) Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) farms (i.e. Obanla, Obakekere and Abaoyo), and (4) a fallow field (control) all within Akure metropolis. The electrical conductivity and pH of the different soils were determined using standard methods while heavy metal analysis of the various soil samples was carried out using Buck 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ASS) after digesting the samples. The length of stem and leaves were recorded. Soil samples obtained from all the cocoa processing locations and chemical dumpsites in Akure metropolis showed no growth. Meanwhile, the control showed growth of C. frutescens. The highest height of stem was in Obanla on day 29 (15.92 ± 0.82 cm) while that of leaf (4.06 ± 1.32 cm) was in Obakekere on the same day. The control had higher mean stem height of 24.67 ± 1.32 cm on day 29 and 6.17 ± 0.17 cm for leaf on same day. Although, relatively higher organic matter was recorded in FUTA area with Obakekere having the least of 4.26±0.06% and Abaoyo having the highest of 4.36 ± 0.06%, this was lower than the control which had 4.50 ± 0.12%. Generally, the heavy metals concentration was higher in the cocoa processing locations and chemical dumpsites, as compared to FUTA area and the control. The low organic matter and heavy metal concentration in the soils cannot guarantee food security in terms of intensive crop production.