Highlights:

Mercapto-functionalized palygorskite is an excellent Cd stabilizer in soil.

Exogenous Zn significantly reduced Cd uptake in Brassica chinensis L.

Low-level exogenous Zn treatment (50 mg/kg) significantly increased the SRR and sDHA.

The combination of PGS-SH and Zn is feasible for remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.