Challenges and Opportunities in Controlled Cultivation of Vetiver: The Role of Endophytic Microorganisms in Essential Oil Biosynthesis
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Abstract
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is an aromatic grass widely applied in environmental engineering and as a source of essential oil for the fragrance industry. However, essential oil production under intensified cultivation systems remains constrained by inconsistent yield and chemical composition, particularly in soilless and controlled environments. This review evaluates the role of root‑associated endophytic microorganisms as a critical but under‑integrated biological factor influencing vetiver essential oil biosynthesis. A structured review of peer‑reviewed literature indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, focusing on cultivation systems, essential oil chemistry, plant–microbe interactions, and comparable mechanisms in other aromatic crops. Evidence was analyzed using a comparative, mechanism‑based framework emphasizing biochemical performance rather than descriptive system comparison. The reviewed studies indicate that soil‑based cultivation consistently produces higher root biomass, greater essential oil yields, and more chemically complex sesquiterpene profiles than in vitro, hydroponic, or aeroponic systems. In contrast, microbiome‑depleted plants exhibit reduced oil accumulation and reduced levels of oxygenated sesquiterpenes, while reinoculation with native root endophytes partially restores aroma characteristics. These findings indicate that limitations in soilless vetiver production stem from biological simplification and engineering constraints. This review proposes microbiome‑integrated cultivation and targeted endophyte reinoculation as feasible strategies to improve yield stability, chemical fidelity, and land‑use efficiency in controlled production systems.
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