The atrazine and clomazone molecules have potential to contaminate environments, especially water resources. Phytoremediation decontamination can prevent or reduce the quantity of these products reaching watercourses. The objective was to evaluate the remedial potential and the physiological sensitivity of Eremanthus crotonoides (DC.) Sch. Bip and Inga striata Benth to atrazine and clomazone in soils contaminated with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 times the recommended commercial dose of these herbicides. The photosynthesis, CO2 consumed stomatal conductance and transpiration of E. crotonoides and I. striata, in soils contaminated with atrazine and clomazone, were evaluated. The herbicide residues were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) 30 days after the last herbicide application. The photosynthesis rate and CO2 consumed by E. crotonoides and I. striata were lower in soils contaminated by atrazine and clomazone. Inga striata had lower stomatal conductance and transpiration in soil contaminated with clomazone. Eremanyhus crotonoides and I. striata reduced the residues of these herbicides. The atrazine and clomazone reduced the physiological variables of E. crotonoides and I. striata. These plants can be used to recover areas with residues of these herbicides, acting as filters that will decrease the amount of herbicides that would reach the watercourses.
Keywords: Decrease residues; forest species; physiological sensitivity.