Sulfate supply decreases barium availability, uptake, and toxicity in lettuce plants grown in a tropical Ba-contaminated soil.

Barium (Ba) is a non-essential element that can cause toxicity in living organisms and environmental contamination. Plants absorb barium predominantly in its divalent cationic form Ba. Sulfur (S) can decrease the availability of Ba in the soil by causing its precipitation as barium sulfate, a compound known for its very low solubility.