Vetiver grass as an Ideal Phytosymbiont for Glomalian Fungi for Ecological Restoration of Heavy Metal Contaminated Derelict Land

Pollution of the soil environment with toxic materials from fossil burning, mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, disposal of sewage, fertilizers and pesticides, etc. has increased dramatically since the onset of industrial revolution. Various strategies including bioremediation and phytoremediation are employed to remove heavy metals from such soils and making them available for agricultural purposes and urban developments. Role of plants as phytosymbionts and their associated arbuscular Glomalian mycorrhizal fungi as mycosymbionts are discussed as an alternative (mycorrhizo-remediation) strategy for safe and efficient decontamination of such soils. Prospects of using vetiver grass as an ideal phytosymbiont due its fast growth rate and root morphology and Glomalian mycorrhizal fungi as mycosymbionts for enhanced uptake of heavy metals is discussed.