At the peak of the growing season, after bait-lamina strips insertion in soil and along with soil sampling for Biolog® ECO plates measurements, we scored a set of fitness traits as estimates of plant performance. These included: number of inflorescences, length of the tallest inflorescence (cm), height of the rosette (cm), and leaf area (cm2). Leaf area was analyzed using a nondestructive technique based on digital photographs analyzes with EASY LEAF AREA software (Easlon & Bloom, 2014 (link)). At the end of the experiment, plants from one experimental plot were harvested, their shoots ad roots washed in deionized water, and dried. To determine Zn concentration in shoots and roots ~0.3 g of the respective dry-ground plant tissue samples was mixed with 6 ml of HNO3 (69%–70%) and HClO4 (70%–72%) (4:1 v/v), left for 24 h, and boiled on a hot plate (Digestor 40 Auto, Foss Tecator, Sweden) at 282–284°C for 1.5–2 hr. Zinc concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometers (AAS; AA280FS, Varian; AA280Z, GTA 120, Varian, Australia) and the results ascertained using certified Standard Reference Material 1570a–spinach leaves (National Institute of Standards & Technology). The Zn translocation factor (TFZn) was calculated as the ratio between metal concentration in shoots and roots.