چکیده (انگلیسی):

Fresh leaves of vegetables widely utilized for their nutritional and medicinal benefits in Nigeria namely: Telfairia occidentalis, Heinsia crinata, Vernonia amygdelina, Lasienthera africana, Talinum triangulare and Gnetum africana were obtained from an organic matter impacted farm in Uyo, Nigeria. These samples were treated following standard analytical procedures and analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometric methods for the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, NO2-, NO3- and PO43-. Results obtained indicated the following ranges (µgg-1): 171.10 – 406.66; 5.16 – 6.81; 8.00 – 10.86; 88.40 – 243. 32; 110.40 - 343.25 and 163.60 – 422.00 for Fe, Cu, Zn, NO2-, NO3- and PO43- respectively. This study revealed that, Telfairia occidentalis has high potential of accumulating iron; Gnetum africana has the ability of absorbing more Cu and Zn; Talinum triangulare is capable of absorbing high NO2- and NO3- while Lasienthera africana has potential of absorbing more PO43- from the soil. However, the concentrations of all the parameters determined except nitrite in Talinum triangulare were within their safe limits recommended by WHO. This research work has also established that, the application of organic manure in agricultural soils is recommended provided the soil and sources of organic matter are not polluted.