Evaluation of arsenic remediation, morphological and biochemical response by Vetiveria zizanoides L. plants grown on artificially arsenic contaminated soil: A field study

The present study evaluated arsenic (As) remediation capacity of Vetiveria. zizanoides plants from artificially contaminated soil (0, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 mg kg(-1)) after various durations ie. 30, 60 and 90 d. Plants were found effective, maximum As removal being 71% after 90 d when grown in 50 mg kg(-1) As. Plant growth was not affected at lower As levels (up to 250 mg kg(-1)) and V. zizanoides plants grown at 50 mg kg(-1) have shown increase in number of tillers (43%), biomass (30%) and plant height (26%) compared to control after 90 days. Thiobarbituric acid reactive metabolites (TBARM) content has not shown any change in As exposed plants up to 30 d, maximum increase in TBARM content was found in roots and shoots of the V. zizanoides plants as 84% and 79% after 90 d when grown at 1000 mg kg(-1) As contaminated plot. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and catalase were found to increase in response to As stress in a coordinated manner. Besides, various non- enzymatic antioxidants also provided defense to plants against As stress. High As accumulation and tolerance potential of V. zizanoides from artificially contaminated soil coupled with large biomass and root system, suggests its feasibility for the revegatation/remediation of As contaminated soils of West Bengal (India).

Automated summary

The study evaluated the arsenic remediation capacity of Vetiveria zizanoides plants in artificially contaminated soil, finding that the plants were effective in removing arsenic, with the best result seen after 90 days in soil with 50 mg kg(-1) As. Plant growth was unaffected at levels below 250 mg kg(-1) of arsenic, and plants grown in 50 mg kg(-1) showed increased tillers, biomass, and plant height. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased in response to arsenic stress, suggesting that Vetiveria zizanoides has potential for remediation of arsenic-contaminated soils in West Bengal, India.