Abstract

Ricinus communis L. are usually found growing abundantly in wastelands where MSW are disposed in urban and semi-urban settlements. The aim of the research is to ascertain the ecological factors that influence the proliferation of Castor bean plants Ricinus communis L. on MSW dumpsites. A study was conducted between the months of December 2018 to April 2019 on fourteen MSW dumpsites from fourteen selected localities in Wukari Metropolis. Three localities were categorized into highly populated (Hospital site, Marmara 1 and Marmara 2) sites; six were moderately populated (GRA, New Site, T-junction, Avyi 1, Mission Quarters 1, Mission Quarters 2) and five (New Market, Kwararafa 1, Timber Shed, Rice Mill, Albaco Maiko) were sparsely populated sites. Results revealed that Hospital Site, Marmara 1and Marmara 2 exhibited the highest biochemical activities due to high population density and waste generation at the study sites. The bacterial community reveals high diversity of gram-positive (Lactobacillus, Bacillus and Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas and Klebsiella) due to the presence of large volumes of untreated sewage, household garbage, agricultural wastes/poultry farms/abbatoirs, frozen food shops, hospital wastes, fermented sorghum-an alcoholic beverage called “burukutu” and “nono” – fresh cowmilk in the MSW dumpsites. The presence of Klebsiella in the dumpsites reveals their ubiquity of belonging to the coliforms group and potential indicator organism as an index of possible water contamination and from hospital acquired infection including Staphylococcus aureus (food poisoning). The survival, growth and proliferation of Ricinus communis L. on the MSW dumpsites is dependent on its symbiotic relationship with the five Orders of bacteria that plays critical roles in organic matter synthesis, degradation, detoxification and novel metabolic abilities thus creates a suitable habitat.

Keywords

Bacterial isolates, MSW dumpsites, Microhabitat factor, Rhizosphere, Ricinus communis L