Ecological resistance of the soil–plant system to contamination by heavy metals

Under consideration is the input of Cu, Zn and Pb to barley grown on ordinary chernozem and chestnut soil under conditions of a pot experiment. The application of these elements is accompanied by accumulation in plants in the following way: Zn ≫ Cu > Pb. The increase in soil contamination degree and combined application of heavy metals promote more intensive accumulation of Cu and Zn in barley straw as compared to grain. It is shown that the Cu, Zn and Pb amounts in grain and straw are highly dependent on the content of metal compounds which are not firmly bound in soils. Differences in the plant tolerance to heavy metals are reflected by an accumulation coefficient.

► The pollution of soil by Cu, Zn, Pb leads to the resistance of soil–plant system.
► Resistance of soils is provided by the fixation of metals in firmly bound compounds.
► Resistance of plants is provided by low metals accumulation in generative organs.
► Differences in plant tolerance to metal are reflected by an accumulation coefficient.