Plants that accumulate metals can be grown and harvested to recover elements from soil—but that does not mean the harvested crop is routinely turned into nanomaterials. Phytomining generally processes plant biomass to recover metals, while plant-mediated nanomaterial synthesis is a separate method that uses plant compounds to help make nanoscale materials.
What is phytomining?
Phytomining is the deliberate cultivation of hyperaccumulator plants on metal-rich or marginal soils. The plants take up target elements as they grow; farmers then harvest the biomass and process it to recover those elements. The crop is feedstock for recovery, not a finished metal product. A 2025 review reports commercial-scale phytomining for nickel, while work involving cobalt, selenium, and thallium remains under development. New Phytologist, 2025
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How do plants extract metals from soil?
For nickel, the pathway described in a 2016 agronomic review is to grow metal-accumulating plants on nickel-rich ultramafic or nickel-contaminated soils, harvest them, and incinerate the biomass. The resulting metal-rich ash, called bio-ore, can then be processed to recover nickel metal or nickel salts. Recovery requires processing after harvest; the plants do not produce ready-to-use nickel. Plant and Soil, 2016
Which plants and soils have been studied?
The 2016 review said fewer than 10 species had had their nickel-phytomining agronomy tested by that publication date, with much of the work focused on Alyssum murale and Alyssum corsicum. It reported trials in Albania, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States on soils containing 0.05–1% total nickel. Those figures describe the trials covered by the review; they do not establish that projects are currently operating in each country. Plant and Soil, 2016
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How does recovery from other metals differ?
A review of noble-metal phytomining describes a broader chain: plants extract and concentrate metals, followed by recovery from biomass residues or incineration ash. It notes that extraction from solid biomass residues was less understood than earlier stages. The suitable recovery route therefore depends on the element and the material left after harvest. Science of the Total Environment
Are hyperaccumulator plants used to make nanoparticles?
That is a related but distinct research area. Plant-mediated, or “green,” synthesis uses phytochemicals in plants or plant parts to reduce metal ions into nanomaterials. A 2021 review preprint discusses potential biosensing and drug-delivery applications as well as challenges in synthesis methods. It does not establish that biomass from phytomining crops is routinely used as the feedstock for this process. 2021 review preprint
In short, phytomining aims to recover metals from harvested biomass; plant-mediated synthesis uses plant compounds to help create nanomaterials. A specific study would be needed to show that a particular phytomining crop or its residues were used to make nanomaterials.
What determines whether phytomining is practical?
There is no universally best crop or recovery route. A 2025 review identifies three central economic conditions: a locally suitable hyperaccumulator that produces useful biomass and accumulates the target element, sufficient value in that element, and enough surface area of soil enriched to a useful level. New Phytologist, 2025
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- Species and yield: The plant must suit the site and accumulate enough of the target element while producing harvestable biomass.
- Soil and area: Metal concentration and the extent of suitable land affect how much material can be recovered.
- Recovery route: Processing depends on the target element and whether it is recovered from ash, biomass residues, or another intermediate.
- Agronomy: Growing conditions and soil management affect biomass and metal yield.
The 2016 nickel review reported that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization increased biomass with negligible dilution of shoot nickel concentration in the studies it covered. It also reported that organic matter could increase biomass while reducing nickel concentration. These are findings from the studies reviewed, not universal fertilizer recommendations; results depend on the crop and site. Plant and Soil, 2016
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How mature is the technology?
Phytomining is not only a laboratory idea: a 2025 review says it has reached commercial-scale implementation for nickel. That maturity should not be generalized to every metal that a hyperaccumulator can take up. The same review describes prospects for cobalt, selenium, and thallium as still under development. New Phytologist, 2025
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