Phosphogypsum (PG), a calcium sulfate-rich byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, is generated in vast quantities worldwide and represents a major environmental management challenge. At the same time, its chemical composition makes PG a potentially valuable soil amendment, particularly for the reclamation of saline, sodic, and acidic soils. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on PG generation processes, physicochemical properties, agronomic performance, and associated environmental and health risks. Evidence from peer-reviewed studies demonstrates that appropriately managed PG applications can improve soil structure, enhance water infiltration, reduce sodium toxicity, alleviate aluminum stress, and increase crop productivity. However, PG contains variable levels of impurities, including heavy metals and naturally occurring radionuclides, which raise concerns regarding soil contamination, groundwater pollution, food safety, and human health, especially under high or repeated application rates. Regulatory frameworks governing PG use differ substantially between regions, reflecting inconsistencies in waste classification, radiological thresholds, and leaching criteria. This review highlights key knowledge gaps related to contaminant mobility, bioavailability, and long-term ecological impacts and discusses mitigation strategies such as purification, controlled application rates, and integrated regulatory oversight. By balancing agronomic benefits against environmental risks, this work provides a comprehensive framework for the safe valorization of phosphogypsum in agriculture, supporting sustainable land management and circular economy objectives.

This study evaluates the impact of heavy metals (zinc, copper and cadmium) on the development and metabolic responses of the maize (Zea mays) variety “Torro Plus”. Seeds were cultivated on MS medium enriched with progressively higher concentrations of heavy metals (50, 100 and 150 μM), and plants were analyzed after 21 days. The results show a significant reduction in morphological parameters, notably an 87.28% decrease in the fresh weight of aerial parts and a 69.93% decrease in the fresh weight of roots under 150 μM of Cd. Chlorophyll a, b and total content also decreased drastically, reaching a maximum reduction of 74.31% under Cd (150 μM). In contrast, secondary metabolites such as proline and flavonoids increased, with a maximum proline accumulation of 0.71 mg/g under Cu (150 μM) and a flavonoid concentration reaching 176.33 mg/g under Cu (100 μM). These results show mechanisms of adaptation to stress, notably the accumulation of flavonoids and proline, while highlighting the increased toxicity of cadmium at high doses. These data are promising for applications in phytoremediation and sustainable agriculture. This study provides important data on the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to heavy metals and opens up prospects for phytoremediation applications.