HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS

The application of foliar fungicides in vineyards and orchards can increase soil concentration of heavy metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), up to the toxicity threshold for fruit trees and cover crops. However, some agronomic practices, such as liming, addition of organic fertilizers, cultivation of soil cover crops and inoculation of young plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can decrease the availability and the potential of heavy metal toxicity to fruit trees. This review aims to compile and present information about the effects of increasing concentrations of heavy metals, especially Cu and Zn, on soils cultivated with fruit trees and provides some agronomic practices of remediation. Information about the sources of heavy metals found in soils cultivated with fruit trees are presented; mechanisms of absorption, transport, accumulation and potential toxicity to plants are described.


INTRODUCTION
Heavy metal is a term often used to name a group of metals and semimetals (metalloids), which are associated with pollution and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity (DUFFUS, 2002).The heavy metals that are often associated with environmental contamination and toxicity to plants and microorganisms in the soil are arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), among others (NAGAJYOTI et al., 2010).
Heavy metals in soils of vineyards and orchards may be derived from natural sources such as weathering of rocks, but also from agricultural practices such as the application of chemical and organic fertilizers, used as source of nutrients for plants.However, in these cases, the main source of heavy metals are foliar fungicides used for control of diseases in fruit trees.The Bordeaux mixture (Ca(OH) 2 + CuSO 4 ), one of the most commonly used fungicides, is a source of Cu, while products with the active ingredient Mancozeb ((C 4 H 6 MnN 2 S 4 ) x (Zn)) are sources of Zn (BRUNETTO et al., 2014a;GIROTTO et al., 2014).With the accumulation of heavy metals in soils cultivated with fruit trees, especially above the adsorption capacity of the soil, losses are expected, causing contamination of surface and subsurface waters.Also a great potential for toxicity to fruit trees, vines and cover crops used in orchard (BRUNETTO et al., 2011;2014a) should be considered.
The high levels of heavy metals such as Cu and Zn in the soil can cause shortening and thickening of the root apex of fruit trees and vine (AMBROSINI et al., 2015), increase in the number of lateral roots and plasmolysis in the epidermis of some cells, thus reducing the density of root hairs (CHEN et al., 2013;ZHANG et al., 2014).The excess of Cu in plants shoots can decrease the concentration of photosynthetic pigments and the rate of C fixation, and can increase the oxidative stress at cellular level (CAMBROLLÉ et al., 2013;CAMBROLLÉ et al., 2015).All this conditions can reduce fruit tree absorption of water and nutrients, whith change of nutrient concentration within the plant, lower growth, especially in young fruit trees, transplanted in soils with high concentration of Cu (TOSELLI et al., 2009;MIOTTO et al., 2014).In addition, transport and accumulation of heavy metals to the fruits may have negative effects on the productivity and composition of the crops, and finally on human health.
However, the toxicity of heavy metals such as Cu and Zn in soils cultivated with fruit trees can be reduced by the adoption of some agronomic practices, including soil addition of lime, fertilizers, organic products, the cultivation of cover crops in orchard rows and interrow, and the inoculation of young fruit trees with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) before transplantation (FERREIRA et al., 2014;AMBROSINI et al., 2015).This review aims to compile and present information about the effects of increasing concentrations of heavy metals (especially Cu and Zn), in orchard and vineyard soils and to provide some agronomic practices of remediation.

SOURCES OF HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS
Heavy metals such as Cu and Zn can be derived from natural sources such as the weathering of rocks, deserts and sea mist, both carried by the wind, the emission of gases and particles from volcanoes (NAGAJYOTI et al., 2010;FERREIRA et al., 2014).
The application of chemical fertilizers, a common practice in vineyards and orchards, can be a source of heavy metals; it is the case of phosphate fertilizers, often reach of impurities that contains heavy metals such as Cd, Hg and Pb (RAMALHO et al., 1999;NAGAJYOTI et al., 2010).The contamination potential depends, among other factors, on the dose and the frequency of application, and on the ability of tree species to accumulate these contaminants in fruits and wood removed from the orchard.Although results on this topic in soils of vineyards and orchards in Brazil are still scarce, in general heavy metals present low mobility that prevent them to be removed from the soil.
On the other hand, the accumulation of heavy metals in soils of vineyards and orchards is promoted by continued applications of organic byproducts such as manure of animals fed with a diet that typically is reach in heavy metals (GRÄBER et al., 2005).Soil application of animal manure (liquid and solid) and organic compound have caused the accumulation and the modification of the distribution of heavy metal fractions in soils cultivated with annual crops and pastures (GIROTTO et al., 2010;TIECHER et al., 2013).The same can happen in vineyards and orchards, in conventional, integrated or organic production system, which have a long history of organic fertilizer applications; especially when the doses added to the soil are defined without technical criteria.In Brazil there are only a few studies on the long term effect of organic waste applications on the increase of heavy metal concentrations and modifications of their fractions in soils of vineyards The main source of Cu and Zn in grapevine (Vitis sp.), apple (Malus domestica) and other fruit tree orchards, are fungicides used for control of diseases, which can cause the accumulation and changes in the distribution of fractions of these elements in the soil.This happens because of the unidirectionality of applications in plants, through rinsing of heavy metals from the leaves during rain or irrigation, the abscission of senescent leaves or the deposition of pruned branches on the soil (KOMÁREK et al., 2010;BRUNETTO et al., 2014b;MIOTTO et al., 2014).For example, in vineyards, for the preventive control of diseases, especially of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), 30 kg Cu ha -1 year -1 may be added to the production system through fungicides (CASALI et al., 2008).This amount can be even larger in years with high frequency and volume of water precipitation, which favors the occurrence of diseases.The potential risk of soil and water contamination with Cu prompted the European Union (EU) to restrict the rate of Cu application to fruit trees.The amount of Cu allowed every year in disease control by the EU legislation is around 6 kg ha -1 (in some Country it is even forbidden).Although this limitation, in Italy, higher DTPA-extractable Cu were found in soils with a history of at least 6 years of cultivation of pear and grapevine when compared with vegetable-cultivated plots.Copper was found in the upper horizon, while at 0.20-0.50m soil depth no difference among cultivation was found, because of the calcareous soils responsible for the prompt immobilization of free Cu, that prevent any movements of the cation.Beside the DTPA fraction, also the total Cu was found higher in pear and vine-cultivated plots compared with vegetable-cultivated soils, because the continuous application of Cu increased the soil inactive Cu forms (TOSELLI et al., 2009).
The chemical and physical characteristics of the Italian soils allow to incorporate high amount of Cu (up to 1000 mg kg -1 ) with no toxic effect on pear tree (TOSELLI et al., 2008) and grapevine (TOSELLI et al., 2009).In fact, after one growing season, a Cu toxic effect was observed in pear and grape grown in soil with a 90% sand composition, while no effect on tree growth was found in clayloam soil after an application rate of 1000 mg Cu kg -1 .A soil Cu toxicity threshold for potted pear trees and grape vines was thus established only in sandy soil.In pear trees, symptoms included a reduction of leaf carbon assimilation, leaf area and shoot growth but no leaf chlorosis or necrosis and appeared with soil Cu addition higher than 400 mg kg -1 , corresponding to 2 and 350 mg Cu kg -1 of CaCl 2 and DTPA-extractable Cu, respectively.In grapevines, Cu toxicity was observed after an addition rate of 200 mg Cu kg -1 corresponding to threshold of 0.78 and 121 mg Cu kg -1 of CaCl 2 and DTPA-extractable Cu, respectively.Above this threshold a reduction of carbon assimilation rate, shoot growth and leaf chlorosis appeared after 2 years of Cu exposure.Copper accumulated in roots, as a response to soil Cu additions, according to a linear and a quadratic function for sandy and clayloam soil, respectively, so that root Cu concentration seemed to be the most appropriate indicator of Cu bioavailability in both soils.However, most of the Cu was found in the apoplastic root compartment, adsorbed to the negative charge of the Donnan free space, and showed a possible antagonistic effect against other nutrients such as Zn (in pear root), P, Ca, Mg, Fe (in vine leaf), Mn and Zn (in vine roots), that all decreased as soil Cu concentration increased.Another explanation of the toxic effect of Cu in sandy soil is the lower nutritional status of plants than in clay loam soil that made them more susceptible to Cu antagonism on other nutrients.In both pear and grape, leaf Cu concentration was not associated with Cu toxicity.However, in both sand and clay-loam soils, a linear reduction of microbial activity was found in response to the increase of Cu addition rate, showing a higher susceptibility to Cu toxicity of soil microbes than tree (TOSELLI et al., 2009).

HEAVY METALS IN SOIL OF VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD
The distribution of heavy metals in solid phase and soil solution depends on the reactions of precipitation/dissolution, adsorption/desorption and oxireduction.In solution, heavy metals may be in free or complexed form.The complex happens between the metal and an inorganic or organic binder.The formation of stable complexes in the soil solution may retard the adsorption of heavy metals into functional groups of reactive particles surface (ALLEONI et al., 2005;FERREIRA et al., 2014).In solid phase the heavy metal can be adsorbed through mechanisms such as the ion exchange, specific adsorption and complexation with organic material from the soil (ALLOWAY, 1995).The ion exchange adsorption is weak and not very stable.In specific adsorption on functional groups of inorganic particles, a heavy metal such as Cu loses partially or completely its water of hydration, forming the inner-sphere complex with the surface of oxides, not crystallized aluminosilicates and edges of clay minerals that are DOI 10.1590/0100-29452017263 Jaboticabal -SP G. BRUNETTO et al.
OH -or a molecule of H 2 O 2 bound to a metal ion of the crystal lattice (BRADL, 2004;ALLEONI et al., 2005).The bond between heavy metals such as Cu and organic material can occur by ionic exchange between the H + of functional groups and the ion (ALLEONI et al., 2005).Thus, the availability of Cu in soils depends on the ligand, the oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, content and composition of the organic matter and on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) (FERNÁNDEZ-CALVIÑO et al., 2010;COUTO et al., 2014;BRUNETTO et al., 2014b).
The adsorption of heavy metals in the soil usually begins in more avid adsorption sites and the remainder may be redistributed into fractions with lower binding energy, therefore, with greater availability (BRUNETTO et al., 2014b).This distribution can be estimated using the chemical fractionation, where different chemical extractants are used sequentially, to remove the elements from more available fractions to those more stable (TESSIER et al., 1979).In this way, the totality of Cu and Zn in soil is separated into bioavailable fractions (soluble in water and interchangeable), with potential for bioavailability (related to minerals and organic matter) and not available or residual (mineral structure).
In the literature, it is common to find the total concentrations of heavy metals in soil, in comparison with their fractions.For example, regarding the Cu in soils of traditional wine-growing regions of the world, 20 to 500 mg Cu kg -1 are reported in France (FLORES-VÉLES et al., 1996;BRUN et al., 1998); 35 to 600 mg kg -1 in Spain (ARIAS et al., 2004); 2 to 375 mg kg -1 in Italy (TOSELLI et al., 2009); 100 to 210 mg kg -1 in Greece (VAVOULIDOU et al., 2005) and 40 to 250 mg kg -1 in Australia (PIETRZAK; MCPHAIL, 2004).In most cases these Cu concentrations are related to foliar applications of copper fungicides and, often, may be toxic to plants.
From the chemical fractionation technique it is possible to determine the different labilities of Cu and Zn fractions in the soil, and to associate the results to the water contamination potential or to the toxicity to plants.For example, in soils with medium texture and with medium and high organic matter content in Serrra Gaúcha, State of Rio Grande do Sul, which is the largest wine-growing region in Brazil, CASALI et al. (2008) reported that the application of copper fungicides in vineyards increased the total content and the fractions more bioavailable of Cu in soil, including in layer as deep as 0.20-0.40m.Furthermore, the same authors (CASALI et al., 2008) stated that other portions of Cu were noted adsorbed onto the mineral fraction, and that most of the Cu, regardless of the adsorbent material, was easily desorbable and could be considered in rapid equilibrium with Cu in the solution.In this case, the toxicity to plants in vineyard (vines or cover crop species) is maximized.Similarly, in Serra Gaúcha soils, increments of mineral Cu, as well as Cu fractions more bioavailable, along with apparent saturation of the functional groups of soil organic matter was found (GIROTTO et al., 2014).In addition, the fractions extracted by HCl accounted for 372.7, 493.3, 240.9 and 74.7 mg Cu kg -1 at layers of 0.0-0.5 m, 0.5-0.10m, 0.10-0.15m and 0.15-0.20 m, respectively.These levels are much higher than the 0.4 mg Cu kg -1 (extracted by HCl, which is established as the threshold high by the Commission of Chemistry and Soil Fertility in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina -CQFS-RS/SC, 2004).On the other hand, in cambisols of vineyards located in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina, accumulation of Cu and Zn in more superficial layers of soil was positively related to vineyard age (BRUNETTO et al., 2014c;COUTO et al., 2014).The same authors reported that most of the Cu and Zn concentrations were noted in the residual fraction that is not available; however in soils with a long history of use of copper fungicides, there was an increase in the Cu bound to the soil organic matter and, in the deepest layers, of Cu bound to the minerals.
In vineyard soils with sandy texture and low organic matter in the Rio Grande do Sul, BRUNETTO et al. (2014b) found accumulation of Cu and Zn in the most superficial layers in soils with 14 and 30 year-old vineyards both with a history of application of Bordeaux mixture and Mancozebbased fungicides.In addition, most of the Cu was noted in mineral fraction and most of Zn in mineral and residual fractions.However, it was noted that 73% of Cu and 30% of Zn in vineyard soils was bioavailable to plants (extracted by EDTA), supplying the demands of the plants, but as the levels in the soil would increase, they could cause toxicity (BRUNETTO et al., 2014b).
Applications of fungicides in other fruit trees, such as apple, can also cause accumulation and modification of heavy metal (i.e.Zn and Cu) fractions in the soil (NEILSEN et al., 1986).(unpublished data) observed accumulation of Cu and Zn fractions in the 0.0-0.025m layer, especially in the orchard with a long (18 years) history of cultivation and, consequently, frequent applications of Cu-and Zn-based fungicides.The same authors reported that most of the Cu, especially in the most superficial layer of the orchard soil, was complexed DOI 10.1590/0100-29452017 263 Jaboticabal -SP HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS... in its organic fraction.This is one of the justifications of the importance of maintaining adequate levels of organic matter in the soil, aiming to avoid the increase of bioavailable fractions of Cu, which may potentiate the toxicity to plants, as well as its transfer to subsurface waters.In the same study (unpublished data), it was also observed more stable forms of Cu in deep soil layers, as residual and mineral fraction, in addition to the Cu complexed to organic matter.In turn, most of the Zn was found in the fraction bound to minerals and residual, which indicates low mobility and low potential toxicity to plants.

ABSORPTION, TRANSPORT AND PLANT TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS
The bioavailability of heavy metals in the rhizosphere can be influenced by root exudates, organic acids, siderophores and protons.Plants absorb heavy metals from soil solution preferably in ionic forms such as Zn 2+ , Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Mn 2+ and Cr 3+ and Cr 6+ .The absorption and transport of these elements are controlled and regulated by a variety of molecules, some of them involved in the trans-membrane transport and some of them involved in their complexation and subsequent sequestration.The absorption of metal ions from the soil solution is mediated by specialized carriers coupled to proteins present in the plasma membrane of root cells.The carriers realize the primary active transport of ions such as H + or Ca 2+ , generating an electrochemical gradient when transporting ions against a concentration gradient, using energy-rich compounds like ATP for this purpose.The main types of electrogenic pumps are the H + -ATPases of type P located in the plasma membrane (cell membrane), H + -ATPases of type V and H + -pyrophosphatases (H + -PPases), located in the vacuoles membranes (tonoplasts).Another mechanism, named secondary transport of H + , is necessary to direct the active absorption of heavy metals, in which solutes can be transported by the membrane, in favor of an electrochemical gradient through the combination of H + and the ion.This type of co-transport requires energy provided by the proton-motive force, generated by the ATP hydrolysis performed by the H + -ATPases (MORSOMME; BOUTRY, 1999).
The negative membrane potential (-200 mV) within the plasma membrane in epidermal cells of roots (HIRSCH et al., 1998) provides a strong driving force for absorption of cations through secondary carriers.For example, the carriers of heavy metals in plants fall into four different families: as the CPx-ATPases, Nramps, CDF (facilitator of diffusion of cations), and ZIP, which are involved in the absorption of metals and homeostasis in general, playing a key role in tolerance to these elements (SETH, 2012).Non-essential heavy metals can effectively compete with essential metals by the same transmembrane transporters having similar ionic radii oxidation states (ALFORD et al., 2010).This relative lack of selectivity for the transport of trans-membrane ions may partially explain why non-essential heavy metal enter the cells of plants root system, even against a concentration gradient (SETH, 2012).
After their absorption, metal ions can be stored in the roots and/or translocated to the shoot via the xylem (JABEEN et al., 2009).Metals can also have a first apoplastic radial transport in the root, until they reach a first filter of diffusion and regulation in the endoderm, when they must cross the plasmamebrane.Once in the stele, metals move mainly via xylem and, in their relations with adjacent cells, may induce alterations in the differentiation of the vascular system (BARCELÓ; POSCHENRIEDER, 1992).Species or varieties of the same plant species, exposed to a similar concentration of heavy metals, may show a different absorption rate and/or internal distribution in the plant.This may result in differences in the retention capability of the element absorbed in the roots or in the variation in the xylem load (SHAW, 1989).
After the symplast absorption, three processes govern the movement of the metals from root to shoot via the xylem: sequestration of metals inside the cells of the roots, symplastic transport in the stele and release into the xylem.The transport of the metal ions in the xylem is usually a strictly controlled process, mediated by membrane transport proteins.Due to the reactivity of metal ions with functional groups -OH, -COO -, -SH, and -NH 2 , carboxylic acids and amino acids represent potential ligands of heavy metals.Some carboxylic acids (citric, malic and oxalic acid) are involved in various processes, including transport through the xylem and vacuolar sequestration (RAUSER, 1999).In regard to amino acids produced by plants in response to the presence of heavy metals, histidine is involved in transport of Ni.The presence of high amounts of histidine, may increases up to 50 times the rate of Ni transport in the xylem.Thus, the chelation of metal ions by histidine, nicotianamine (PICH et al., 1994) and citrate (SENDEN et al., 1995) appears to be the major route of translocation of metals via the xylem.Inside the xylem, the transport of metal ions depends on the pH balance existing between the organic chelants of low molecular weight and the hydrated free metal DOI 10.1590/0100-29452017263 Jaboticabal -SP G. BRUNETTO et al. ions.Furthermore, the mobility of chelated metals depends on the flow of transpiration and also on the metals bound to the cell wall surrounding the xylem vessels (SENDEN; WOLTERBEEK, 1990).
The response of plants to heavy metal toxicity involves structural, biochemical and physiological changes that depend on the type and concentration of the elements and on the time of plant exposure to such elements (Figure 1).Considering the physiological actions, there are a number of factors to consider like the mechanisms of absorption, transport and accumulation of elements in plant tissues.The primary mechanisms of toxicity are found at molecular, cellular and sub-cellular level; the secondary mechanisms of interference deal with functional processes of plants and homeostatic response mechanisms which, in some cases, lead to tolerance mechanisms to heavy metal (BARCELÓ; POSCHENRIEDER, 1992).
In general, the most visible symptom of phytotoxicity for heavy metals includes: reduced growth, especially of the root system, chlorosis and necrosis on the leaves and, subsequently, typical symptoms of senescence and abscission (BRECKLE; KAHLE, 1992; PUNZ; SIEGHARDT, 1993) (Figure 1).Vines and cover crops grown in vineyard soils with high concentration of Cu have roots with shorter and thicker root apex, because of the changes in cell division and in the arrangement of tissues (AMBROSINI et al., 2015).The number of lateral roots can increase and in the epidermis plasmolysis of some cells can occur, with a reduction of the density of root hair normally observed (ZHANG et al., 2014).Changes in morphology and anatomical structure of the roots can be reflected in reduced absorption of nutrients and water by plants, reduced growth and root and shoot biomass (TOSELLI et al., 2009;MIOTTO et al., 2014).
Excessive Cu in the shoot of cultivated trees can lead to a lower photosynthetic pigment concentration and decrease photosynthesis rate (CAMBROLLÉ et al., 2013;2015).The reduction of photosynthesis, accompanied by slower growth rate of the plant, causes the accumulation of carbohydrates and starch in leaves, due to the lower demand for energy (ALAOUI-SOSSÉ et al., 2004).Furthermore, high Cu concentration in the vines tissue can cause oxidative stress at the cellular level, with an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as superoxide anion (O 2.-), singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and hydroxyl radical (OH - ).ROS can damage all biomolecules; in particular lipid peroxidation of the cell membranes is one of the most important observed effects (MIOTTO et al., 2014).
It may also be observed a change in the organization of cells in the root apex, increasing the areas of the cortex and of the vascular cylinder and, consequently, of the root diameter, with a reduction of the growth young vines (AMBROSINI et al., 2015) in soil with sandy texture, low organic matter and high concentration of Cu (40 mg kg -1 of EDTA extractable Cu).Moreover, the same authors reported that exposure to Cu caused accumulation of phenolic compounds in the cortex cells of the root apex, reduction of the calcium concentration in the roots and increase of Cu concentration and accumulation in roots.In the same plants, the high Cu soil concentration modified CO 2 assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration (ROSA et al., 2014).These results explain in part the slow growth rate of young vines exposed to high Cu concentration.On the other hand, in the same conditions, adult bearing grapevines, showed an increasing leaf Cu concentration and evidence of oxidative stress, with no change in the nutritional status of the vines (MIOTTO et al., 2014).

AGRONOMIC PRACTICES TO REDUCE THE TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS
As noted earlier, there are numerous situations where levels of heavy metals in soils are high, and requires remediation strategies.These strategies generally include processes that aim at reducing metal concentration and solubility, in order to reduce uptake and attenuate the toxic effects on biological systems (Figure 2).Some practices that may be viable in vineyard and orchard soils are: 1) addition of lime, fertilizers (expecially phosphate), organic by-products, 2) use of cover crop species and 3) promotion of arbuscolar mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis.
The addition of lime in contaminated soils of vineyards and orchards in production or after their removal promotes the increase of OH -concentration in solution, encouraging the deprotonation of H + from the surface of functional groups, which, in turn, promotes the increase of the of CEC and the adsorption of Cu, decreasing its concentration in soil solution and its potential toxicity (AMBROSINI et al., 2015).In addition, OH -in the solution, derived from lime dissociation, can react with Cu, forming Cu hydroxide which precipitates and, therefore, reduce the activity of free Cu species in solution.Also, the addition of lime increases the content of interchangeable Ca and Mg in the soil, which can DOI 10.1590/0100-29452017 263 Jaboticabal -SP HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS... decrease the toxic effects of Cu.The increase of Ca concentration within the plant alleviates the possible changes caused by Cu in the anatomy of the roots (CHEN et al., 2013;AMBROSINI et al., 2015).
Various slags, especially those rich in silicates, have been studied for the effect of reduction of mobility of metals by means of changes in soil pH (LI et al., 2008).The basic slag is made of Ca-and Mg-silicates that act as corrective of soil acidity, are sources of Si and alleviate the toxicity of metals in the soil (KIRKHAM, 2006;FERREIRA et al., 2013).Although Si is not recognized as an essential element for fruit trees, it has proven beneficial effects for many species (MA & YAMAJI, 2008).For example, Si has increased tolerance of the plants to the toxicity of Mn, Fe, Cd and Zn (CUNHA et al., 2008;ZHANG et al., 2008;FERREIRA et al., 2013).
The addition of organic fertilizer, such as the compost derived from the aerobic or anaerobic stabilization of agri-food wastes (fruit and vegetable after juice production, sawdust and poultry slaughter), especially when added to degraded soils, can contribute to increase the content of soil organic matter.This can lead to the complexation with heavy metals that present an electron configuration [Ar] 3d 10 4s 1 that allows a high reactivity with the organic matter functional groups containing S and N, as well as carboxylics and phenolics, which allows a high bound power and low dessorption (CASALI et al., 2008).On the other hand, the mineralization of organic waste produces molecules into the soil solution that can complex heavy metals (such as Cu) and reduce their bioavailability and therefore the toxicity, but can increase their mobility through soil profile, which is not always desirable (BRUNETTO et al., 2014b).
Cover crops cultivated in row and interrow of vineyards and orchards with high levels of heavy metals can decrease their availability through the absorption and compartmentalization in the apoplast of roots or organelles, such as the vacuole (CHAIGNON;HINSINGER, 2003).In addition, plants can also alter the pH of the rhizospheric soil, which is reflective of the release of H + , OH -, HCO 3 -in order to keep electrochemical balance of roots when plants absorb cations or anions.When absorption of anion is greater than cation there is an increase of the rhizospheric soil pH, that promotes the complexation and therefore the precipitation of Cu and other metals, which reduces the percentage of free species of heavy metal in solution, hence its toxicity to plants.Low molecular weight organic acids, such as citric, malic, fumalic can be exuded by the roots of plants, including vines (COVARRUBIAS et al., 2012).At the same time organic acids may derive from organic matter (root or shoot residues) decomposition, promoted by microorganisms (PII et al., 2015).The dissolved organic compounds in the soil solution have a high affinity with heavy metals, reducing the potential toxicity for plants (JONES;DARRAH, 1994;MEIER et al., 2012;PÉREZ-ESTEBAN et al., 2014).
The mutualistic association between AMF and plant roots can also be a way of minimizing the toxic effects of heavy metals in contaminated soils of fruit trees.In this context, associations between plants and AMF are of great importance because AMF improves P uptake, assist in plant growth, and may also contribute to reduce the availability of heavy metals as a result of their immobilization in fungal structures or glomalin (ABDEL LATEF, 2013;GIL-CARDEZA et al., 2014).This latter effect results in a decrease in the transfer of potentially toxic elements from roots to shoots (JONER et al., 2000;CHRISTIE et al., 2004).AMF may also reduce heavy metal uptake by promoting the precipitation or chelation of elements in the rhizosphere (KALDORF et al., 1999) and by promoting morphological, physiological and molecular changes in host plants (ANDRADE et al., 2010).

FIGURE 1 -FIGURE 2 -
FIGURE 1-Schematical representation of a mechanism of plant physiological responses to heavy metal toxicity: influence of metallic ion concentration and time of contact (Based on BARCELÓ; POSCHENRIEDER (1992)).Abbreviations and symbols: ABA = abscisic acid; M = metal.