Ricinus communis: A robust plant for bio-energy and phytoremediation of toxic metals from contaminated soil

Phytoremediation is an age old technology. Recently, it has emerged as one of the most accepted, economical, eco-friendly and esthetically important strategy adopted for removal of toxic metals from the contaminated sites. However, it is observed that its application suffers from several imperfections. Edible crops with low biomass and plants having low metal extracting ability have been studied extensively for their use to extract heavy metals. It is found that most of the edible crops are low biomass producing plant with shorter lifespan and sensitive to most of the abiotic and biotic stresses. Several non-edible plants have also been studied for their metal extraction potential. Ricinus communis is a non-edible emerging phytoremediator which is a robust and industrially important oil yielding multipurpose shrub of wild as well as cultivable nature. The application of R. communis for phytoremediation purpose in place of edible as well as non-edible stress sensitive crops/herbs may become a good alternative for the remediation of contaminated land. Its other important uses are biodiesel production, medicinal products, societal development, employment generation to the local peoples, carbon sequestration, reduction in green house gases (GHG), etc. It also increases the fertility of the soil and reduces soil erosion. R. communis has been found to possess excellent ability to extract majority of toxic metals like Cd, Pb, Ni, As, Cu, etc. as well as some organic contaminants like pesticides.