Abstract
The work investigated the state of winter wheat seedlings under conditions of high content of heavy metal zinc in the cultivation medium. Morphometric analysis of 35-day-old seedlings was carried out and the state of the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves was determined by the content of chlorophyll and carotenoids. Excess zinc causes a stress reaction in plants, the manifestations of which are an increase in the content of protective pigments and a decrease in light absorption and electron transport due to the destruction of LHC 2. A decrease in photosynthetic activity is the cause (or consequence) of a significant decrease in plant growth processes. This may predict a decrease in the yield of grain crops, in particular wheat in these areas. Therefore, before resuming agronomic activity, the soils urgently need to be cleaned.