While zinc protects plants from copper in hydroponics, its behavior in soil remains unclear. We investigated the potential of zinc sulfate to protect ryegrass from copper toxicity in contaminated soil. Twelve soil treatments combined varying levels of copper oxide (CuO) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). Increasing CuO significantly stunted ryegrass, but adding ZnSO4 mitigated the effects at each CuO level. ZnSO4 had no effect in unpolluted conditions. These results, supported by the Terrestrial Biotic Ligand Model, indicate that zinc competes with copper for binding sites, reducing copper uptake by ryegrass and mitigating its toxicity. Application of zinc sulfate to copper-contaminated soils appears promising for ryegrass growth, although field studies are critical to confirm real-world efficacy.

Departamento de Recursos Ambientales Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas Universidad de Tarapacá Arica Chile

Department of Landscape Design and Sustainable Ecosystems Peoples Friendship University of Russia 6 Miklukho Maklaya St Moscow 117198 Russian Federation

Independent Researcher Prague Czech Republic

Instituto de Biología Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Valparaíso Chile

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