THE RESPONSE OF ROOTS OF HERBACEOUS PLANT-SPECIES TO HEAVY-METALS

Current knowledge on the uptake, translocation and distribution of heavy metals in plants is summarized, with emphasis on the roots of herbaceous plants and their reactions to this kind of stress. Results from investigations at several contaminated sites in the Eastern Alps of Europe (predominantly mine spoil) on heavy metal accumulation and exclusion characteristics of plants are presented. General resistance strategies of plants are discussed indicating some possible misunderstandings in the usage of resistance terminology. Finally, some neglected questions on topics in the 'mainstream' of experimental work on heavy metals and plants are considered.