Influence of diesel fuel contamination on Xanthium strumarium L. germination and growth

In this study, the effects of diesel fuel contamination on common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) seeds have been investigated. Five levels of contamination were used (0 g, 2.5 g, 5 g, 7.5 g, and 10 g diesel per 100 g of substrate). Germination was significantly reduced only at 7.5 g and 10 g diesel and the highest percentage germination (97%) was recorded at 5 g diesel. Diesel contamination caused a significant reduction in shoot length, but the decline began to be important at 7.5 g diesel. The root length was positively influenced by diesel fuel contamination, the shortest root (12.89 cm) was observed in the control and the longest (19.92 cm) at 5 g diesel. Xanthium strumarium seeds germinated successfully at different levels of contamination, its root length seemed to take advantage of the diesel fuel contamination and its shoot length was mostly affected by the high contamination levels. Therefore, we can propose this plant species as a potential candidate for the phytoremediation of sites contaminated with diesel. Furthermore, the results could help improve our understanding of the behavior of X. strumarium, and its ability to germinate and grow in different soil conditions.