en Environmental Health, Sciences, and Engineering Environmental Health, Sciences, and Engineering پژوهشي Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Background:</strong> This research was investigated to evaluate effect of applying sunflower residues as a green manure on increasing zinc (Zn) concentration of two Iranian wheat cultivars in a Pb and cadmium (Cd) polluted soil.<br> <strong>Methods: </strong>Treatments included the application of sunflower residuals grown in a Zn-polluted soil&nbsp; at two levels of 0 and 8 t/ha, two wheat cultivars&nbsp; in a soil contaminated with Pb (0, 400 and 800 mg Pb/kg soil) and Cd (0, 5 and 10 mg Cd/kg soil). After 7 months of the experiment. Plant Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Results:</strong> The highest root and shoot Zn concentration of wheat plant was belonged to the&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Back cross cultivar. Addition of 8 t/ha sunflower residues in soil without Pb and Cd pollution increased the root Zn concentration of Back Cross and Kavir&nbsp; cultivars by 12 and 16%, respectively. The highest and lowest Zn translocation factor of wheat plants was belonged to Back Cross and Kavir cultivars, respectively.<br> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Applying sunflower residues has a significant effect on increasing plant Zn concentration and can be useful as a suitable way to increase Zn concentration of wheat grown in Zn deficient and heavy metal polluted soils.&nbsp;</span></span></div> Zinc, Cadmium, Environmental pollution, Wheat, Sunflower 9 14 http://jhehp.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-230-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Amir Hossein Baghaie a-baghaie@iau-arak.ac.ir 10031947532846009667 10031947532846009667 Yes Department of Soil Science, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran. Amir Daliri amdalii2018@gmail.com 10031947532846009668 10031947532846009668 No Department of Soil Science, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.