The effect of crude oil on germination and growth of Glycine max was investigated in Calabar, Nigeria. Planting was done in polythene bags measuring (60 x 25x 15cm) and each bag was filled with 5kg of top soil (0-15cm depth) collected from the biological science experimental farm. Five polythene bags per crude oil concentration were used, which made a total of 25 bags. Treatment of the soil was carried out by adding varying concentrations of crude oil ranging from 20ml, 40ml, 60ml and 80ml into soil samples contained in polythene bags. Each concentration of crude oil was added to each soil sample contained in 5 polythene bags and was thoroughly mixed using hand trowel. Three seeds of soybean (Glycine max) were planted into each of the soil sample treated with varying concentrations of crude oil. The result indicated that crude oil pollution significantly reduces (p< 0.05) the growth of the soybean plant at higher pollution rate than at lower pollution rate. This thus implies that the higher the quantity or concentration of the crude oil in the soil the more effect it would have on the growth and germination of soybean plant.
