Nickel and cadmium phytoextraction efficiencies of vetiver and lemongrass grown on Ni–Cd battery waste contaminated soil: A comparative study of linear and nonlinear models

A comparative assessment of the phytoremediation efficiency of two tolerant grass species viz. vetiver and lemongrass were performed in pots against simulated Ni–Cd battery electrolyte waste (EW) contaminated soil (EW1%, EW2% and EW4% w/w). Ni (μg g−1) accumulation was higher in shoots (36.8) and roots (252.9) of vetiver than in lemongrass (12.5 and 79.7, respectively). While the same trend was true for Cd (μg g−1) accumulation in vetiver and lemon grass roots (232.2 and 147.2, respectively), however, the accumulation in vetiver shoot (43.4) was less than in lemongrass (99.9). The bioaccumulation factor of metals in both grasses increased with EW contamination. Vetiver was tolerant towards EW toxicity than lemongrass, as it exhibited lesser decline in morphological parameters, lesser rise in TBARS against the doses of EW. The activities of SOD, APX, POD enzymes were higher in vetiver whereas, only GR in lemongrass. Multiple linear regression model show, pH had strong and positive influence over the Ni and Cd uptake by the plants whereas, phosphate, OM and bioavailable metals influenced negatively. The higher R2 (>0.9) and Chi-square values ≤ 1 in sigmoid non-linear model demonstrates robustness of the model for predicting the Ni and Cd accumulation (MHM) in both the grasses. Ni accumulation was higher than Cd, roots had greater accumulation of heavy metal and vetiver was a greater accumulator of Ni and Cd from EW the contaminated soil than lemongrass. [Display omitted] •Vetiver is tolerant and accumulates higher Ni and Cd than lemongrass.•The bioaccumulation factor of vetiver roots was >1 at EW2% and EW4%.•Accumulation of Ni and Cd was positively influenced by pH.•Bio-available metals, PO4 and OM negatively influenced the Ni and Cd accumulation.•Predictive values of metals from sigmoid model were close to experimental values.