A pot experiment was conducted to examine effects of earthworm (Pheretima sp.) casts on copper uptake by ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum).The experiment had three levels (200,400 and 600 Cu mg kg^-1) of Cu contamination of the soil (Orthic aquisol) prepared by adding CuSO₄#5H₂ O,two treatments of soil amendments,earthworm casts (15%) and back-ground soil (15%) and two treatments of plantation,with ryegrass and without ryegrass.Results show that earthworm casts significantly increased biomass of shoots and roots (p<0.001),and length,surface area,volume and number of tips of the root system,and the effect was the highest when Cu content of the soil was 200 mg kg^-1.It also increased copper concentration and accumulation in shoots (p<0.05),but decreased copper concentration in roots.That means earthworm casts can promote copper transportation from roots to shoots and copper accumulation in shoots.In addition,analysis of soil pH and Cu fractions (BCR sequential extraction) show that plantation of ryegrass decreased soil pH and increased content of exchangeable Cu,and these effects could be strengthened by addition of earthworm casts.It could be inferred that earthworm casts promote copper uptake of ryegrass mainly by stimulating growth and act ivity of the roots,which in turn affects the rhizosphere environment and enhances bioavailability of copper.