Alkaline extract from vermicompost reduced the stress promoted by As on maize plants and increase their phytoextraction capacity.

Arsenic (As) represents an environmental risk and phytoremediation has been identified as a good technique to recover contaminated soils. Plants defense mechanisms needed to be enhanced against As stress-promoting action by biostimulants such as humic materials. This work sought to determine the effectiveness of an alkaline vermicompost extract (AEV) and in mitigating stresses promoted by As in maize plants, increasing their potential use for phytoextraction.