Comparative Plant Responses to Copper Nanoparticles and Alginate-Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles in Lactuca sativa L.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient, but poorly controlled inputs may increase phytotoxicity risks and alter soil–plant nutrient dynamics. Therefore, Cu formulations that regulate rhizosphere Cu availability are of agronomic interest. This study compared non-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) and alginate-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (eCuNPs) in a 42-day pot experiment with Lactuca sativa L. grown in two agricultural soils with different properties, applying 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg o