Effects of sodium thiosulphate and graphite powder on the anatomy of Colocasia esculenta (L.) and Xanthosoma maffafa (L.) accessions in Nigeria

The effects of sodium thiosulphate and graphite powder on the anatomy of five accessions of Colocasia esculenta (NCe 001, NCe 002, NCe 003, NCe 004 and NCe 005) and three accessions of Xanthosoma maffafa (NXs 001, NXs 002 and NXs 003) were investigated. Graded quantities (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) of sodium thiosulphate and graphite powder were applied to each accession while the control experiment lacked the oil-field chemical additives. Results showed some variations in the shape of the epidermal cells, nature of the cuticle and oxalate crystals as well as the number of vascular bundles in the treated accessions. The occurrence of conjoined vascular bundles and vascular bundles with connecting tissues were also observed. The difference in the number of vascular bundles in the mid rib and petiole was significant at 5%; the difference in the number of vascular bundles between different accessions and between various treatments was also highly significant at 5%. Data generated showed that these species have the ability to exhibit eco-physiological plasticity under unstable environmental stress conditions.