Molecular responses of Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) as phytoremediator to phenanthrene soil pollution stress

Document Type : Short communication

Authors

1 Department of Biology, School of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Tarbiat Modares

3 Department of Soil Science and Engineering, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University

4 Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Khorramabad University, Lorestan, Iran

10.22099/mbrc.2026.55993.2293

Abstract

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) like phenanthrene are persistent environmental pollutants. This study evaluated the potential of Vetiver grass for the phytoremediation of phenanthrene-contaminated soil and investigated key detoxification mechanisms. Vetiver grass was exposed to various phenanthrene concentrations (0-4000 ppm), and its response was analyzed. The experiment included 7 treatment levels: a negative control (soil without pollutant or acetone) (0), and phenanthrene concentrations of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg (ppm) of dry soil, each with 3 replicates. The results demonstrated that Vetiver grass effectively removed phenanthrene from the soil, achieving a 68.9% reduction at the highest concentration (4000 ppm). This removal was accompanied by a significant upregulation of stress-related enzymes genes. Gene expression analysis of glutathione-S-transferase phi 2 (GSTF2), an important detoxification enzyme increased in both roots and shoots, with the highest levels observed at 4000 ppm. Similarly, the gene expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 3 (PAL3) another important detoxification enzyme in roots was significantly enhanced at 250 and 4000 ppm. In conclusion, Vetiver grass shows high potential for phenanthrene phytoremedia-tion. The enhanced expression of GSTF2 and PAL3 genes is a crucial molecular mechanism that mitigates phenanthrene toxicity and contributes to its successful removal from contaminated soil. This research has the novelty and significance of the molecular investigation.

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