Critical toxic ranges of chromium in spinach plants and in soil

Long-term irrigation with untreated industrial sewage effluents causes accumulation of high concentrations of chromium (Cr) and other heavy metals in soil and subsequently in crop plants (especially leafy vegetables), which can be phytotoxic to plants and/or a health hazard to animals and humans. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Cr application on the growth of spinach (Spinacia oleracia L.) and to develop critical toxic ranges of Cr in plants and in soil. The study involved growing of spinach variety 'Punjab Green' in a greenhouse on silty clay loam and sandy soils equilibrated with different levels of applied Cr (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg Cr kg(-1) soil). Plants were harvested at: three growth stages 45, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). Critical toxic ranges were estimated by regressing and plotting data on ammoniumbicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable Cr in soil or Cr concentration in plants versus dry-matter yield (DMY) of spinach at the three growth stages. Toxic ranges, i.e., slightly toxic (80%-90%), moderately toxic (70%-80%), and extremely toxic (<70%) in terms of DMY relative to the attainable maximum DMY, were established for both soils and for plants at all three growth stages. There was no germination of spinach with applied Cr at 320 mg Cr kg(-1) rate in silty clay loam soil and at 40 mg Cr kg(-1) rate in sandy soil due to Cr toxicity. Roots accumulated more Cr in comparison with shoots. Chromium concentrations of 0.47-1.93 mg Cr kg(-1) soil in silty clay loam soil, 0.13-0.94 mg Cr kg(-1) soil in sandy soil, 1.08-5.40 mg Cr kg(-1) plant DM in silty clay loam soil and 0.54-11.7 mg Cr kg(-1) plant DM in sandy soil were found to be toxic. The critical toxicity ranges of Cr thus established in this study could help in demarcating Cr toxicity in soils and in plants such as spinach and other leafy vegetables due to irrigation of soils with untreated sewage water contaminated with chromium.