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Pesticides based on zinc (Zn) salts used for intensive agriculture continuously accumulate in the soil. Using the genus Salix is a viable long-term solution to extract excess Zn from soil. Three Salix spp. clones from the southern Mediterranean region were rated for their tolerance levels to four different concentrations of ZnSO4 center dot 7H(2)O (0.4, 250, 500, and 750 mu mol.L-1). At the end of a 45-day period, many ecophysiological variables were measured. Following treatments, stress response to Zn varied among genotypes. These marked clonal variations were expressed as toxicity symptoms, physiological disturbances, and reduced growth. Our results suggest that Salix clones could be used as agroforestry model to counteract Zn accumulation in agricultural soils, allowing them to maintain their agronomic value, fertility, and productive potential. [Journal translation]