Determination of arsenic extraction by Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash plant for phytoremediation application

There is contradiction about Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash as arsenic hyperaccumulator. The suitability of V. zizanioides plant for Arsenic (As) tolerance and accumulation in the plant biomass has been investigated for phytoremediation application. Plants were treated with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg L-1 As levels in Hoagland nutrient solution. Arsenic accumulation in shoot and root biomass was determined after 14 days. Metal extraction competency from matrix and accumulation in the above ground plant part revealed that V. zizanioides accumulate As at a low level. Inefficiency of As accumulation by this plant relates to the absence of arsenate reductase activity, transcript of the arsC gene which is crucial for As detoxification. Though, the V. zizanioides system sustains low-level As stress, it is not suitable for As phytoextraction.