There are global concerns regarding heavy metals-induced pressure on soil ecosystem since past decades due to increasing urban, industrial and agricultural activities. Threat linked with heavy metals with respect to natural environment and humans is a function of their mobility and bioaccessibility. Zinc (Zn) is one of the most transportable and bioavailable heavy metals; hence, its excess levels in soil cause phytotoxicity and decrease yield and quality. Different physicochemical soil factors affect binding of Zn in soil. Moreover, phytoavailability of Zn is coupled with allocation of this element among various fractions of soil. Thus, comprehending the distribution of Zn among diverse soil fractions would assist in developing methods to safeguard human well-being and ecosystem against its lasting accumulation. Further, these soil fractions would impart comprehensive knowledge about chemical, biological and geological processes taking place in soil and in depth information regarding availability of Zn to plants. No doubt, Zn deficiency in plants is more widespread than Zn toxicity; still latter has been described in several regions of the world. Numerous strategies including use of beneficial microbes, mineral nutrients, phytohormones and other agents have been developed to alleviate Zn toxicity in plants. Present review focuses on different Zn forms present in soils and soil factors impacting its phytoavailability to explore a potential link between Zn and soil characteristics. Additionally, various Zn ameliorative approaches along with the prospects of genetic engineering in developing plants tolerant to Zn toxicity have been highlighted.

中文翻译：

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土壤中锌的行为及改善锌植物毒性策略的最新进展

过去几十年来，由于城市、工业和农业活动的增加，重金属对土壤生态系统造成的压力引起了全球的关注。与重金属对自然环境和人类相关的威胁是其流动性和生物可及性的函数。锌 (Zn) 是最容易运输和生物利用度最高的重金属之一；因此，其在土壤中的过量含量会导致植物毒性并降低产量和质量。不同的土壤理化因素影响土壤中锌的结合。此外，锌的植物有效性与该元素在土壤不同部分的分配有关。因此，了解锌在不同土壤部分中的分布将有助于开发保护人类福祉和生态系统免遭其持久积累的方法。此外，这些土壤部分将传授有关土壤中发生的化学、生物和地质过程的全面知识，以及有关植物锌利用率的深入信息。毫无疑问，植物缺锌比锌中毒更为普遍。世界上几个地区也描述了后者。人们已经开发出许多策略来减轻植物中的锌毒性，包括使用有益微生物、矿物质营养素、植物激素和其他药剂。本综述重点关注土壤中存在的不同锌形态以及影响其植物有效性的土壤因素，以探索锌与土壤特性之间的潜在联系。此外，还强调了各种锌改良方法以及基因工程在开发耐锌毒性植物方面的前景。