Morphological and physiological responses of maize (Zea mays) exposed to sand contaminated by phenanthrene

•From 50 mg kg−1, phenanthrene induces perturbations in maize functioning.•It causes a modification of the carbon allocation, favouring the roots.•It modifies the root architecture, making the roots thicker on average.•Symptoms suggest water shortage, photosynthesis slowdown, nutritional perturbation.

Phytoremediation is promising, but depends on clearly understanding contaminants' impact on plant functioning. We therefore focused on the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on cultivated plants and understanding the impact of phenanthrene (PHE) on maize functioning (Zea mays). Cultivation was conducted under controlled conditions on artificially contaminated sand with PHE levels increasing from 50 to 750 mg PHE kg−1. After four weeks, plants exposed to levels above 50 mg PHE kg−1 presented decreased biomasses and reduced photosynthetic activity. These modifications were associated with higher biomass allocations to roots and lower ones to stems. The leaf biomass proportion was similar, with thinner blades than controls. PHE-exposed plant showed modified root architecture, with fewer roots of 0.2 and 0.4 mm in diameter. Leaves were potassium-deplete, but calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc-enriched. Their content in nitrogen, iron, sulfur and manganese was unaffected. These responses resembled those of water-stress, although water contents in plant organs were not affected by PHE and water supply was not limited. They also indicated a possible perturbation of both nutritional functioning and photosynthesis.