13
Phytotechnologies for Site Remediation
unsuitable growing conditions, yet showing best growth in areas with
good access to water (Angelini et al., 2005). Giant reed is cultivated well in
moderate, subtropical, and tropical areas of both hemispheres (Herrera &
Dudley, 2003). It grows between 6 and 8 m high, while in ideal conditions
the height can exceed 10 m. It is a promising crop for energy production in
the Mediterranean climate in Europe and Africa. The advantage is that the
crop is adapted to long drying periods (Jeguirim & Trouvé, 2009; Zema et al.,
2012). Plantings can last 12–15 years and may annually produce up to 60 t of
dry biomass ha −1 in Central and Northern Italy (Angelini et al., 2005; Pilu
et al., 2013). A considerable amount of research is reported in Table 2.2 about
phytoremediation potential of A. donax in a variety of contaminated soils;
however, results are mixed.
Panicum virgatum L. (Switchgrass) (Figure 2.3) is an upright, coarse, perennial C 4 grass. It belongs to the Poaceae family and originates in North America
and Canada. The plant can be produced over an extensive geographic range,
and the annual harvested biomass is up to 25 t of dry matter ha −1 (Parrish
et al., 2012) while stem can grow up to 2.7 m. Switchgrass develops well in
marginal soils and shows good results in both fine and coarse textured soils
(Rinehart, 2006). The recommended seeding rate is 200–400 germinating
seeds m −2 . Usually, the amount of seeds for one ha varies from 4 to 10 kg ha −1
(Moser & Vogel, 1995; Teel, 2003; Vassey et al., 1985; Vogel, 1987, 2000; Wolf &
Fiske, 2009). Currently cultivation of switchgrass uses mainly hybrids. Some
studies with trace elements are reported in Table 2.3.
TABLE 2.2
Phytoremediation Potential of Arundo donax L. to Different Trace Elements
Trace Element Phytoremediation Potential
Reference
Cd
Rhizofiltration in hydroponics
Phytoextraction
Uptake potential from the
media
Cr
Accumulator
Cu
Phytoextraction
Rhizofiltration
Hg
Uptakes and accumulates
Hg in roots
Ni
Uptake potential from the
media

Pb
Not efficient in removing
Pb from the media
Certain genotypes have
phytoextraction potential;
others are excluders
Zn
Phytoextraction in
hydroponics
Dürešová et al. (2014); Sagehashi et al. (2011)
Barbafieri et al. (2011); Chierchia, (2011);
Sabeen et al. (2013); Yang et al. (2012)
Papazoglou et al. (2005); Papazoglou et al.
(2007)
Fiorentino et al. (2013); Kausar et al. (2012)
Chierchia (2011); Elhawat et al. (2014)
Bonanno (2012)
Bonanno (2012)
Bonanno (2012); Papazoglou et al. (2005);
Papazoglou et al. (2007)
Barbafieri et al. (2011); Bonanno (2012)
Sidella (2014)
Dürešová et al. (2014)