Effect of High Nickel and Chromium Background Levels in Serpentine Soil on Their Accumulation in Organs of a Perennial Plant

The effect of high concentrations of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in alkaline serpentine Fluvisol (FL 1) on their uptake by grapevine as a perennial plant was compared to their accumulation on alkaline Fluvisol (FL 2) and an acid Cambisol (CM). The FL 1 revealed high pseudo total Ni (900-1737 mg kg(-1)) and Cr (263-775 mg kg(-1)) concentrations, whereas those in FL 2 and CM were low. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Ni was greatest in FL 1; DTPA-extractable Cr was less than the detection limit. Concentrations of metals in grapevines revealed the pattern root. leaves. shoots. grapes. At FL 1, high Ni and Cr concentrations (40.7-68.8; 23.3-41.3 mg kg(-1)) in roots were measured. In grapes, these concentrations were low (Ni 0.4-0.9; Cr 0.1-0.6 mg kg(-1)), whereas those on FL 1 do not differ significantly from others, indicating that alkaline serpentine soils may be used for grapevine or other perennial plant growth