March 7, 2025
Journal Article
Effects of lead and arsenic in soils from former orchards on growth of three plant species
Abstract
• Historical use of lead arsenate as a pesticide has resulted in legacy lead and arsenic soil contamination. However, the effects of this soil contamination on plant growth has been poorly quantified for native species over the full range of concentrations present in the soil. • Here, a comparative phytotoxicity study on field-collected lead arsenate-contaminated soil was performed using three species: native Sandberg’s bluegrass (Poa secunda), invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and buttercrunch lettuce (Lactuca sativa). • Germination rates and growth as biomass were measured over a wide range of lead and arsenate concentrations, with maximum concentrations of 3,400 and 790 mg/kg for lead and arsenic, respectively. • Biomass growth of all three species was significantly reduced (a = 0.05) when grown in the highest concentration soil, relative to the other concentrations tested. • Germination rates were not affected for any of the three species at any soil concentration.Published: March 7, 2025