The overall objective of the project is to develop systems, that are effective, safe and of low cost, to improve phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils through improved phytoaccumulation. As heavy metals are ultimately indestructible the physical removal of toxic heavy metals from contaminated soil is the best way to ensure minimal ecological risks presented by polluted soils. The curcial element in the development of phytoaccumulation systems is to identify the genes conferring such tasks in special hyperaccumulating plants. As the plant-microbe interactions may significantly modify this system attention is paid also to the role of the plant-associated microbes. Gene modified and non-gene modified plants with improved metal tolerance and/or accumulation with or without aid of plant-associated micro-organisms will be produced and evaluated. The safety aspects of phytoremediation will also be addressed in this project.