Short‐Term Effect of Lime,Phosphorus, and Iron Amendments on Water‐Extractable Lead and Arsenic in Orchard Soils

Abstract

Lead arsenate was extensively used to control insects in apple and plum orchards in the 1900s. Continuous use of lead arsenate resulted in elevated soil levels of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). There are concerns that As and Pb will become solubilized upon a change in land use. In situ chemical stabilization practices, such as the use of phosphate‐phosphorus (P), have been investigated as a possible method for reducing the solubility, mobility, and potential toxicity of Pb and As in these soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of calcium carbonate (lime), P, and iron (Fe) amendments in reducing the solubility of As and Pb in lead‐arsenate‐treated soils over time. Under controlled conditions, two orchard soils, Thurmont loam (Hapludults) and Burch loam (Haploxerolls), were amended with reagent‐grade calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), iron hydroxide [Fe(OH)₃], and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and incubated for 16 weeks at 26°C. The experimental results suggested that the inorganic P increased competitive sorption between H₂PO₄ ^? and dihydrogen arsenate (H₂AsO₄ ^?), resulting in greater desorption of As in both Thurmont and Burch soils. Therefore, addition of lime, potassium phosphate, and Fe to lead‐arsenate‐contaminated soils could increase the risk of loss of soluble As and Pb from surface soil and potentially increase these metal species in runoff and movement to groundwater.     

Effects of Arsenic‐Contaminated Irrigation Water on Growth,Yield, and Nutrient Concentration in Rice

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of different concentrations of arsenic (As) in irrigation water on Boro (dry‐season) rice (Oryza sativa) and their residual effects on the following Aman (wet‐season) rice. There were six treatments, with 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg As L^?1 applied as disodium hydrogen arsenate. All the growth and yield parameters of Boro rice responded positively at lower concentrations of up to 0.25 mg As L^?1 in irrigation water but decreased sharply at concentrations more than 0.5 mg As L^?1. Arsenic concentrations in grain and straw of Boro rice increased significantly with increasing concentration of As in irrigation water. The grain As concentration was in the range of 0.25 to 0.97 µg g^?1 and its concentration in rice straw varied from 2.4 to 9.6 µg g^?1 over the treatments. Residual As from previous Boro rice showed a very similar pattern in the following Aman rice, although As concentration in Aman rice grain and straw over the treatments was almost half of the As levels in Boro rice grain. Arsenic concentrations in both grain and straw of Boro and Aman rice were found to correlate with iron and be antagonistic with phosphorus.     

Influence of Long‐Term Sodic‐Water Irrigation,Gypsum, and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Nitrogen Mineralization Kinetics under Rice–Wheat System

Abstract

Influence of long‐term sodic‐water (SW) irrigation with or without gypsum and organic amendments [green manure (GM), farmyard manure (FYM), and rice straw (RS)] on soil properties and nitrogen (N) mineralization kinetics was studied after 12 years of rice–wheat cropping in a sandy loam soil in northwest India. Long‐term SW irrigation increased soil pH, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and decreased organic carbon (OC) and total N content. On the other hand, application of gypsum and organic amendments resulted in significant improvement in all these soil properties. Mineralization of soil N ranged from 54 to 111 mg N kg^?1 soil in different treatments. Irrigation with SW depressed N mineralization. In SW‐irrigated plots, two flushes of N mineralization were observed; the first during 0 to 7 d and the second after 28 d. Amending SW irrigated plots with GM and FYM enhanced mineralization of soil N. Gypsum application along with SW irrigation reduced cumulative N mineralization at 56 days in RS‐amended plots but increased it under GM‐treated, FYM‐treated, or unamended plots. Nitrogen mineralization potential (N_o) ranged from 62 to 543 mg N kg^?1 soil. In the first‐order zero‐order model (FOZO), the easily decomposable fraction ranged from 5.4 to 42 mg N kg^?1 soil. Compared to the first‐order single compartment model, the FOZO model could better explain the variations in N mineralization in different treatments. Variations in N_o were influenced more by changes in pH, SAR, and ESP induced by long‐term SW irrigations and amendments rather than by soil OC.     

Effect of sulfur and molybdenum levels on growth,nitrate‐assimilation,and nutrient con‐tent of Phalaris

An experiment was conducted with Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirolan under hydroponic conditions in the glasshouse at constant temperature of 25°C and natural sunlight. Plants were grown in double pot system with four sulfur and three molybdenum levels along with all the major‐ and micro‐nutrient elements. There was increase in growth, nitrate‐reductase activity and contents of most of the nutrient elements at all levels of sulfur and 1.68 μ/L molybdenum. Molybdenum at 3.36 μg/L level inhibited growth and nitrate‐reductase activity and decreased concentration of nutrient elements in plant. The inhibitory effect of higher level of molybdenum is perhaps mediated through its role in the nitrate‐reductase.     

Biomass Production,Forage Quality,and Cation Uptake of Quail Bush,Four‐Wing Saltbush,and Seaside Barley irrigated with Moderately Saline–Sodic Water

Abstract: Beneficial use of water of impaired quality has gained attention globally as society's demand for domestic quality water has increased. Additionally, concerns about the environmental implications of disposal of water of impaired quality have necessitated assessment of alternatives to disposal of such water. The study reported here investigated capacity of Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats. (Quail bush), Atriplex X aptera A. Nels. (pro sp.) (Wytana four‐wing saltbush), and Hordeum marinum Huds. (seaside barley) to produce biomass and crude protein and take up cations when irrigated with moderately saline–sodic water, in the presence of a shallow water table. Water tables were established at 0.38, 0.76, and 1.14 m below the surface in sand‐filled columns. The columns were then planted to the study species. Study plants were irrigated for 224 days; irrigation water was supplied every 7 days equal to water lost to evapotranspiration (ET) plus 100 mL (the volume of water removed in the most previous soil solution sampling). Water representing one of two irrigation sources was used: Powder River (PR) [electrical conductivity (EC) = 0.19 Sm^?1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 3.5 (mmol_c L^?1)^1/2 ] or coalbed natural gas (CBNG) wastewater [EC = 0.35 Sm^?1, SAR = 10.5 (mmol_c L^?1)^1/2]. Biomass production did not differ significantly between water quality treatments but did differ significantly among species and water table depth within species. Averaged across water quality treatments, Hordeum marinum produced 79% more biomass than A. lentiformis and 122% more biomass than Atriplex X aptera, but contained only 11% crude protein compared to 16% crude protein in A. lentiformis and 14% crude protein in Atriplex X aptera. Atriplex spp. grown in columns with the water table at 0.38 m depth produced more biomass, took up less calcium (Ca²⁺) on a percentage basis [(g Ca²⁺ g^?1 biomass) ×100], and took up more sodium (Na⁺) on a percentage basis than when grown with the water table at a deeper depth. Uptake of cations by Atriplex lentiformis was approximately twice the uptake of cations by Atriplex X aptera and three times that of H. marinum. After 224 days of irrigation, crop growth, and cation uptake, followed by biomass harvest, EC and SAR of shallow groundwater in columns planted to A. lentiformis were less than EC and SAR of shallow ground water in columns planted to either of the other species.     

Monitoring: Physic‐Chemical,Microbiological, and Phytotoxic Parameters of Mixed Oil Mill Waste and Green Waste Composts Moistened with Treated Urban Wastewater and Tap Water

In Tunisia, on‐site co‐composting of oil mill waste would overcome environmental issues and valorize renewable resources. The authors' goal was to determine the physic‐chemical and microbiological properties and nutrient supply characteristics of mixed oil mill waste and green waste compost. Two piles of the same raw materials (2/3 oil mill waste–1/3 green waste, w/w) were moistened with two kinds of water: treated urban wastewater (A₁) and tap water (A₂). Results showed the following: (i) produced compost decreased in C/N from 32 to 12.30?±?0.89 (A₁) and 11?±?0.89 (A₂); (ii) major elements (P and K) were within acceptable limits; (iii) A₁ and A₂ had potentially lower heavy metal contents than the limits established by the second draft of the Biological Treatment of Biowaste of the European Commission and microbial load values below the limit N FU 44‐051 values; (iv) A₁ and A₂ had, respectively, 93 and 89.67% as germination index Gl values, which confirmed the composts' maturity and safety; (v) for both composts, A₁ and A₂, culture potting made up of half compost and half soil revealed the highest bean leaves' number; and (vi) the less richness in minerals and organic compounds of A₂ compared to A₁ gave better germination results for white wheat and bean leaves' number for A₂. Even moistened with treated urban waste water, oil mill wastes proved to be very interesting for co‐composting with green waste.     

Distribution of Total and DTPA‐Extractable Zinc,Copper, Manganese,and Iron in Vertisols of India

Abstract

Vertisols of India are developed over isohyets of 600 to 1500 mm, and their chemical cycles are set by drainage, landforms, and particle size, which results in variable pedogenic development within the otherwise homogeneous soils. The purpose of this study was to identify pedogenic processes in the distribution of total and DTPA‐extractable zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). The soils are developed over basaltic parent material of Cretaceous age. Soil samples were drawn from genetic horizons of the 13 benchmark profiles and analyzed by using HF–HClO₄ acid for total and DTPA extraction. Correlation coefficients were calculated taking all samples together. The total concentration varied from 24 to 102 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 21 to 148 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 387 to 1396 mg kg^?1 for Mn, and 2.36 to 9.50% for Fe. Their variability was proisotropic and haplodized, and their concentrations increased with advancing isohyets. Within the isohyets, hindrance in drainage caused retention of Zn and Cu but loss of Fe. The piedmont soils had more Fe than alluvium soils. The spatial distribution of total contents of Zn, Cu, and Fe was influenced by the pedogenic processes associated with Haplusterts but not with provenance materials. Surface concentrations of the elements by biotic lifting and/or harvest removal were negated by the pedoturbation that further contributed to the irregular distribution of the elements in the profiles. Total Zn and total Cu had positive coefficients of correlations with coarse clay, whereas total Mn and total Fe were positively correlated with fine clay. The DTPA‐extractable forms were functions of isohyets and drainage and showed association with organic carbon content and coarse clay.     

Release Rates of Ammonium‐Nitrogen,Nitrate‐Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Magnesium, Iron,and Manganese from Seven Controlled‐Release Fertilizers

Abstract

Samples of seven controlled‐release fertilizers, Nutricote Total 13–13–13, Nutricote Total 18–6–8, Osmocote Plus 15–9–12, Osmocote 13–13–13, Polyon 18–6–12, Polyon 14–14–14, and Plantacote 14–8–15, were placed in leaching columns containing acid‐washed sand. Samples of all leachates were analyzed weekly to determine release rates of ammonium‐nitrogen (N), nitrate‐N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Release rates for P from all products were slower than those for NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N, and K. Release of Mg, Mn, and Fe was very poor, with less than 50% of the total amount of each of these elements ever being released from the prills for some products. Nutricote products released Fe and Mn more effectively than did Osmocote or Plantacote.     

Distribution of DTPA‐extractable Fe,Zn, and cu in soil particle‐size fractions

Abstract

To examine the distribution of DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu in clay, silt, and sand fractions; surface soils were collected from cultivated fields of North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois. Clay, silt, and sand fractions were separated after sonic dispersion of soil water suspension and analyzed for DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu. In general, clay had the highest and sand the lowest amount of DTPA‐extractable metals. Consequently, clay had the highest and sand the lowest intensity and capacity factors for these metals since DTPA micronutrient test measures both these factors.     

Spatial variation of soil test phosphorus and potassium,oxalate‐extractable iron and aluminum,phosphorus‐retention index,and organic carbon content in soils of Western Australia

Abstract

Spatial variation of bicarbonate soil test phosphorus (P) and bicarbonate soil test potassium (K) was studied by measuring soil test values for 40 individual soil samples collected from random locations within eight uniform 100 m by 100 m field sites in south‐western Australia. In addition, for five of the sites, spatial variation of the three P sorption indices (ammonium oxalate extractable iron, ammonium oxalate extractable aluminum, and the P retention index) and of organic carbon (C) was measured for 20 individual soils samples. Spatial variation was found to be large, with coefficient of variation (CV) exceeding 20% in most cases, and 50% in some cases. It is therefore essential to collect an adequate number of soil samples from uniform areas in paddocks in order to provide a representative composite sample to measure the soil properties.     

Accumulation,partitioning, and assimilation of nitrate in Opuntia ficus‐indica

Nitrate levels and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of the widely cultivated prickly‐pear Opuntia ficus‐indica were measured for 5‐year‐old orchard plants in the field between flowering and fruit ripening (May‐August) and for rooted cladodes (stem segments) in a glasshouse in pots that were supplied with 0.8,4, or 16 mM nitrate during the early growth of new cladodes (6 weeks). Nitrate levels were much higher in the cladodes than in the fruit peels or the roots; in both cladodes and fruit peels, nitrate levels were higher in the inner water‐storing layer (parenchyma) than in the outer green photosynthetic layer (chlorenchyma). NRA was confined to the cladode chlorenchyma and was higher in new cladodes than in the underlying cladodes. The orchard study suggested that the nitrate accumulated in 2‐ and 3‐year‐old cladodes served as a reserve for the growth of new organs. At the beginning of the reproductive season, such older cladodes had high nitrate levels of 7 mg/g DW in the chlorenchyma and 45 mg/g DW in the parenchyma, which decreased by 72% and 43%, respectively, by the end of the season. The glasshouse experiments indicated that the cladodes were more important for nitrate reduction than the roots, particularly under high external nitrate concentrations.     

Effects of phosphate,nitrate and chloride on calcium,magnesium and manganese content of cigar‐wrapper tobacco

Abstract

Nutrient solutions containing three levels of phosphate, nitrate, and chloride were applied to cigar‐wrapper tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants growing in sand culture for a period of 18 days. Concentrations of other nutrient elements in the nutrient solutions were held constant and the solutions were applied to pots as needed to maintain favorable moisture conditions for plant growth. Plants were in the two leaf stage when transplanted and were maintained on a single nutrient solution for 38 days before treatments were started. At the end of an eight weeks growing period, plant leaves were harvested and analyzed for Ca, Mg, and Mn. Dry matter yield was significantly (P=0.01) increased when 2 mM/1 of Ca(NO₃)₂ replaced an equivalent amount of Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ or CaCl₂ in the nutrient solution. Nitrate significantly (P=0.05) increased Ca and Mg content and decreased Mn concentration in leaf tissue in comparison to chloride. Calcium and Mg content were significantly (P=0.05) decreased and Mn content of tobacco leaves was increased by phosphate in comparison to nitrate and chloride.     

Yield,forage quality,and nitrogen recovery rates of double‐cropped millet and ryegrass

Abstract

Pearl millet and annual ryegrass were continually doubled‐cropped on Olivier silt loam soil for seven years at six levels of N, applied as ammonium nitrate in three applications to millet and in two applications to ryegrass. Forage yields increased as N application rates increased. During seven years at the 0 and 448 kg/ha N rate, millet produced 35% and 95%, respectively, as much yield as it produced at the 800 kg/ha N rate, while comparable values for ryegrass were 19% and 83%. At 448 kg/ha of N the two grasses produced a combined yield of over 20 Mg/ha of dry forage per year. Ryegrass yields following millet were consistently lower than yields previously obtained at this site.

Nitrogen applications consistently increased concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg in both forage grasses, while effects on P and K were variable and S concentrations were unaffected. The amounts of all nutrients removed in the forages were increased as yields increased with N application rates. Nitrate‐N levels considered to be toxic to ruminant animals occurred only where N applications exceeded 170 kg/ha at any one time. In vitro digestibility of each grass was consistently increased by N applications.

The percentage of fertilizer N that was removed in the crops ranged from 66% to 68% for millet and from 35 to 52% for ryegrass as N applications increased up to 448 kg/ha. Residual ammonium and nitrate levels in the top 1.2 m of soil were not increased by N rates of 448 kg/ha or lower. At the 800 kg/ha N‐rate, the apparent N recovery rate decreased and residual ammonium and nitrate levels increased throughout the soil profile.     

Water Treatment Residuals and Biosolids Co‐applications Affect Phosphatases in a Semi‐arid Rangeland Soil

Co‐application of biosolids and water treatment residuals (WTR) land has not been extensively studied but may be beneficial by sorbing excess biosolid‐borne or soil phosphorus (P) onto WTR, reducing the likelihood of off‐site movement. Reduction of excess soil P may affect the role of specific P‐cleaving enzymes. The research objective was to understand the long‐term effects of single co‐applications and the short‐term impacts of repeated co‐applications on soil acid phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, pyrophosphatase, and phytase enzyme activities. Test plots were 7.5 × 15 m with treatments consisting of three different WTR rates with a single biosolids rate (5, 10, and 21 Mg WTR ha^?1; 10 Mg biosolids ha^?1) surface co‐applied once in 1991 or reapplied in 2002. Control plots consisted of those that received no WTR–biosolids co‐applications and plots that received only 10 Mg biosolids ha^?1. Plots were sampled to a 5‐cm depth in 2003 and 2004, and soil phosphatases and phytase enzyme activities were measured. Soil phosphodiesterase activity decreased in WTR‐amended plots, and pyrophosphatase activity decreased with increasing WTR application rates. In contrast, acid phosphatase and phytase activity increased with WTR addition, with WTR application possibly triggering a deficiency response causing microorganisms or plants to secrete these enzymes. Biosolids and WTR co‐applications may affect enzymatic strategies for P mineralization in this study site. Reductions in phosphodiesterase activity suggest less P mineralization from biomass sources, including nucleic acids and phospholipids. Increased acid phosphatase and phytase activities indicate that ester‐P and inositol‐P may be important plant‐available P sources in soils amended with WTR.     

Pressurized Hot Water and DTPA‐Sorbitol as Viable Alternatives for Soil Boron Extraction. I. Boron‐Treated Soil Incubation and Efficiency of Extraction

Abstract

Serious challenges associated with hot water extraction, the standard extraction method for water‐soluble boron (B), limit its use in commercial soil‐testing laboratories. Several alternatives to make B testing more practical have been proposed and studied; none of the alternatives have readily replaced the hot water method. Two relatively new, promising B extraction methods are pressurized hot water and DTPA‐Sorbitol. Very little reported work compares B extraction values obtained from the standard hot water extraction method and these two alternative methods. This study was conducted to complete an initial step in validating new procedures—extracting the designated nutrient from fertilized, incubated soils by using standard and alternative extraction methods and comparing the resulting values. The three extraction methods were used to extract B from samples of calcareous sand and silt loam soils and limed, loamy fine sand, all which had been treated with 10 levels of B (0–8 mg kg^?1) and incubated for 7 and 28 days. The amount of B extracted increased as the rate of B application increased with all three soil‐extraction methods. High correlations (r 0.977–0.999) were observed between extractable B and rate of B application with all three procedures. Correlations between the amount of extractable B using hot water extraction and the value obtained with an alternative extraction method were similar for both methods (r=0.89). Hot water generally extracted the least and pressurized hot water the most B regardless of soil type, rate of application, or duration of incubation. This study suggests the more easily used methods of pressurized hot water and DTPA‐Sorbitol could be recommended as replacements to the cumbersome hot water extraction.     

Nutrient charge,composition of media and nitrogen‐form affect growth of vinca

Growth of vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don ‘Grape Cooler'] was compared under several cultural conditions. Conditions investigated included two types of media (a peat‐lite mix and a mix containing 25% pine bark) and five types of nutrient charges in the peat‐lite media (sulfated micros, chelated micros, sulfated or chelated micros with pH adjustment to 5.5, and no charge). Nitrogen (N) source effect on growth was also investigated. Plants were grown at five different ratios of nitrate‐N to ammonium‐N. Greatest growth as measured by shoot length and shoot dry weight occurred in the peat‐lite media at either the sulfated micro or chelated micros adjusted to pH 5.5 and at the highest ratios of nitrate‐N to ammonium‐N. Root dry weight and growth were negatively affected by high levels of ammonium‐N in the fertilizer solution.     

Effect of wetting and drying on DTPA‐extractable Fe,Zn, Mn,and Cu in soils

Abstract

The study reported herein was intended to determine the effect of (i) wet‐incubation and subsequent air‐drying, and (ii) oven‐drying on DTPA‐Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu.

Analysis of wet‐incubated soils showed significant decreases in DTPA‐Fe, Mn, and Cu at the 1% and Zn at the 10% level of probability. Air‐drying of these moist‐incubated soils increased the levels of Fe, Zn, and Cu to values close to their original levels. Levels of Mn sharply deviated from their original values after air‐drying of incubated soils. Correlation coefficients (r) between the amounts of extractable nutrients in original air‐dry soils and wet‐incubated soils were 0.54, 0.87, 0.91, and 0.13 for Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, respectively. Oven‐drying increased the levels of DTPA‐extractable micronutrients from 2 to 6 fold.     

Water‐Soluble and Exchangeable Aluminum in Some Forest Soils of the Czech Republic Affected by Acid Precipitation

Abstract

The high contents of soluble and exchangeable aluminum (Al) in soils are believed to be main factors of forest damage in large areas. Krkono?e National Park, in the Czech Republic, is one of the most damaged areas in Central Europe, although the industrial emissions have declined in the past years. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the present concentration of soluble and exchangeable Al in some soils of that area, with different degrees of forest decline. The total Al concentration in water extracts was found to range within the limits 0.022–0.102 mM. According to the commonly used criteria, these values do not exceed the limit of toxicity for most plant species. Aluminum compounds in water extracts are represented predominantly by Al organic complexes and Al polymers. The percentage of the most toxic for plants, Al monomeric hydroxocomplex, ranges within the limits 0–52% of the total Al concentration and is higher in water extracts from the upper parts of the solum as compared with those from the subsoils, in compliance with the increase in pH values down the profile. The molar ratios of calcium (Ca)/Al and (Ca+Mg+K)/Al in water extracts exceed 1, but no clear relation with the forest status is found. The content of exchangeable Al is instead very high, especially in mineral horizons, and the lowest ratios between Ca or the sum of base cations and Al in the exchange complex occurs under the most degraded forest stands.     

Gas exchange,water relations,and Ion concentrations of salt‐stressed tomato and melon plants

Abstract

Tomato and melon plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with nutrient solution having an EC of 2 dS m^?1 (control treatment) and 4, 6, and 8 dS m^?1, produced by adding NaCl to the control nutrient solution. After 84 days, leaf water relations, gas exchange parameters, and ion concentrations, as well as plant growth, were measured. Melon plants showed a greater reduction in shoot weight and leaf area than tomato at the two highest salinity levels used (6 and 8 dS m^?1). Net photosynthesis (Pn) in melon plants tended to be lower than in tomato, for all saline treatments tested. Pn was reduced by 32% in melon plants grown in nutrient solution having an EC of 4 dS m^?1, relative to control plants, and no further decline occurred at higher EC levels. In tomato plants, the Pn decline occurred at EC of 6 dS m^?1, and no further reduction was detected at EC of 8 dS m^?1. The significant reductions in Pn corresponded to similar leaf Cl^? concentrations (around 409 mmol kg^?1 dry weight) in both plant species. Net Pn and stomatal conductance were linearly correlated in both tomato and melon plants, Pn being more sensitive to changes in stomatal conductance (g_s) in melon than in tomato leaves. The decline in the growth parameters caused by salinity in melon and tomato plants was influenced by other factors in addition to reduction in Pn rates. Melon leaves accumulated larger amounts of Cl^? than tomato, which caused a greater reduction in growth and a reduction in Pn at lower salinity levels than in tomato plants. These facts indicate that tomato is more salt‐tolerant than melon.     

Comparative Phytoremediation of Chromium‐Contaminated Soils by Fenugreek,Spinach, and Raya

Abstract

A glasshouse investigation was undertaken to evaluate the natural potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and raya (Brassica campestris L.) for cleanup of chromium (Cr)–contaminated silty loam and sandy soils. Four kilograms of soil per treatment in earthen pots was treated with five levels of chromium [0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^?1 soil through dipotassium chromate (K₂Cr₂O₇], equilibrated for 21 days at field-capacity moisture content, and then fenugreek, spinach, and raya were grown for 60 days after seeding. The concentration of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable Cr increased significantly with increasing rate of Cr application in both soils, but the increase was higher in sandy soil than in silty loam soil. The DTPA‐extractable Cr in both soils decreased after harvesting of crops compared to its concentration in soil before sowing of the crops. The decrease in DTPA‐extractable Cr concentration was highest in soil growing raya and least in the fenugreek‐growing soil. The percent reduction in dry‐matter yield (DMY) with increasing levels of added Cr in comparison to the zero‐Cr control was highest for fenugreek (49 and 52%) followed by spinach (36 and 42%) and lowest for raya (29 and 34%) in silty loam soil and sandy soil, respectively. Also, the percent reduction in mean shoot yield of all crops was higher in sandy soil (41%) compared to silty loam soil (36%), when the rate of applied Cr was increased from 0 to 10 mg Cr kg^?1 soil. The DMY of both shoot and root was highest for raya and lowest for fenugreek. The Cr concentration in fenugreek, spinach, and raya increased with increasing level of added Cr in both soils. The concentration of Cr in both shoot and root was highest in raya, followed by spinach and fenugreek. The overall mean uptake of Cr in shoot was almost four times and in root was about two times higher in raya compared to fenugreek. The findings indicated that family Cruciferae (raya) was most tolerant to Cr toxicity, followed by chenopodiacea (spinach) and Leguminosae (fenugreek). Because raya removed the highest amount of Cr from soil, it could be used for pytoremediation of mildly Cr‐contaminated soils.