ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at investigating the reproductive capacity of Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens exposed to different crude oil concentrations. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons (rainy and dry season) at the Botanical garden of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design consisting of three treatments of crude oil polluted soil; control (C) from the pristine area, 50m from point of discharge (M) and 15 m from point of discharge (H). Plant productivity was measured at the end of the experiment for the both seasons. This includes; fruit yield, plant yield, fresh and dry weight matter. Data obtained for plant fresh weight has showed significant differences between the control (CA and CF), and the various level of crude oil pollution (MA, MF, HA and HF). The highest values were obtained in the control 2-6WAT during the rainy season. Crude oil pollution significantly suppressed fruit yield in the MA, MF, HA, and HF treated soils. There was significant difference (P<0.001) in the control and treatments in fruit yield to cadmium toxicity. However, C. annuum had more fruit yield than C. frutescens at both season. However, it was observed that plants in the rainy season had more yield production than those in the dry season. Although the plants performed well during the rainy season as compared to the dry season, crude oil negatively affects the plants reproductive capacity at both seasons