Contamination of soils with heavy metals represented and represents one of the most important problems for the natural function of ecosystems, but also for human health. Widespread use of Cu-based fungicides has led to increased Cu concentration in soils. The present work reveal a topical topic regarding food safety and consists in evaluating the accessible fraction of Cu that can persist in the soil and later can be translocated in fruits. In order to obtain sustainable and efficient productions, against the backdrop of severe climate changes and the negative effects on the orchard system, the environment and human society, the most suitable protection technologies were optimized within the Adamachi farm - Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS). In order to maintain the diversity of fruit tree species and ensure their longevity in terms of productivity, as well as the proper maintenance of the plum orchard, in order to reduce the contamination of the fruit tree ecosystem with polluting substances, antifungal treatments based on Cu20% were carried out in the recommended doses, followed by a study of field to determine the total Cu concentration and its transfer from the soil to the plum leaves, from two cultivars, Record and Centenary. Soil samples were analyzed pre-harvest and taken at two depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm), analyzing the concentration of total Cu in aqua regia and accessible Cu in a solution of 1n ammonium acetate and EDTA 0.01n using atomic absorption spectrometry – AAS, in the flame atomization variant (ContrAA 700, Analytik Jena). According to the analyses, the total Cu content shows high values (114.22 mg Kg-1), exceeding the maximum admissible limit (≤ 100 mg Kg-1), but not the limit of intervention thresholds. The supply status of the soil in accessible Cu shows high values (> 3 mg Kg-1) with the possibility of translocation in the plant and leaching on the soil profile. The higher concentrations of heavy metal were found at the soil surface, in 0 – 20 cm soil horizon, but below the maximum safety limits based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Therefore, to prevent soil pollution with heavy metals, it is recommended to use them as rationally as possible and apply them at the most suitable times.

plum orchard, soil, copper, concentration, heavy metals

agronomy

Presentation: poster