Bioaccumulation of heavy metal uptake by two different Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides and Vetiveria nemoralis) species

Abstract

The efficiency of Cd, Pb and Zn uptake of upland vetiver grass (Vetiveria nemoralis) ecotypes as Kamphaeng Phet1, Prajuab Kirikhun, and Ratchaburi and lowland vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) ecotypes consisting of Kamphaeng Phet2, Mae Hongson, and Surat Thani were compared under sterile condition for interferent repudiation. The results showed that the total Cd accumulation of V. zizanioides was in the order of Kamphaeng Phet1 > Ratchaburi > Prajuab Kirikhun ecotype and in V. nemoralis was Mea Hongson approximately Kamphaeng Phet2 > Surat Thani (p < 0.05). All the vetiver grass ecotypes preferentially accumulated Pb in roots than shoots, with the rate of translocation less than 1. However, the efficiency of Cd and Zn translocation was different, depending on each vetiver ecotype. In addition, all vetiver ecotypes, except Kamphaeng Phet1, displayed high capability of Zn uptake in both shoots and roots after 7 days. Therefore, the vetiver plant can be considered a good “hyperaccumulator” only for Zn. Key words: Vetiveria zizanioides, Vetiveria nemoralis, total accumulation rate (TAR), transport factor (TF).