Effect of Multi-Year Protection of Grapevines with Copper Pesticides on the Content of Heavy Metals in Soil, Leaves, and Fruit

This study evaluates the impact of multi-year protection of grapevines using copper-based pesticides on heavy metal content in soil, leaves, and fruit under organic and conventional cultivation methods. Conducted on Solaris, Hibernal, and Muscaris grapevine varieties in north-western Poland, the research highlights significant differences between the two cultivation approaches. In organic vineyards, copper content in soil averaged 10.25 mg/kg, significantly higher than the 9.05 mg/kg found in conventional soils. Manganese levels were also elevated in organic soils (223 mg/kg) compared to conventional ones (299 mg/kg). Conversely, conventional vineyards exhibited higher zinc and lead concentrations, averaging 47.10 mg/kg and 20.34 mg/kg, respectively, versus 43.50 mg/kg and 11.22 mg/kg in organic soils. The organic soils also had higher salinity (46.50 mg/kg) than conventional ones (30.50 mg/kg). The fruits of grapevines in organic cultivation showed higher copper and zinc levels, with the Solaris variety containing 15.01 mg/kg of copper and the Muscaris variety having 11.43 mg/kg of zinc. These levels exceed the commonly encountered ranges of