Study of Aromatic Plants on Cadmium Exposure Through Anatomical Structure, Shoot Root Ratio, Essential Oil and Heavy Metals

Yustina Sulastri, Mukhlis , Revandy Damanik and Tengku Sabrina

Background and Objective: Aromatic plants are used as phytoremediation tools for heavy metals because they are not food plants so they are safe for humans. However, there is little information about heavy metals. It is necessary to research to assess its resistance to cadmium through analysis of anatomical structure, shoot-root ratio, essential oil content and heavy metal absorption. Materials and Methods: Factorial block random design. The factor I: Types of aromatic plants: Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), citronella (Cymbopogon citratus), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Factor II: Cd concentration: 0, 85, 170, 255 and 340 ppm) three times. Parameters observed were root anatomical structure, root shoot ratio, essential oil content, metal content in the soil, heavy metal absorption in roots and shoots, bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor, as well as the amount of heavy metal extraction. Results: Showed that all types of experimental plants experienced root tissue damage due to exposure to Cd. Lemongrass and vetiver provide a high root-to-shoot ratio while yielding higher essential oils at high Cd concentrations. Vetiver grass, citronella, lemongrass, patchouli and basil showed a bioaccumulation factor value of <1 but vetiver grass, lemongrass and basil had a translocation factor of >1. Citronella plant showed a high heavy metal Cd extraction of 5958371 ppb. Conclusion: Lemongrass, citronella grass and vetiver grass are the best plants that represent other plants as phytoremediation tools. Judging from its ability to produce essential oils and absorption of heavy metal Cd.

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