ABSTRACT Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient for agriculture, and Brazil is heavily dependent on N imports. A by-product of the intermediate processes of tanning (BPIPT) may be used as an N fertilizer which will reduce this dependency, but its chromium (Cr) content is a matter of concern. This work assessed Cr (III, VI) and N (total, inorganic) contents in four soil samples with contrasting characteristics (especially with respect to their content of manganese (Mn), a potential Cr(III) oxidant), following the addition of the BPIPT. Chemical and microbiological indicators of soil quality were measured to assess the agronomic and environmental implications of the BPIPT addition in Brazilian soils. Our results indicate that the BPIPT is a promising source of N. The originally available Mn content in the soil did not influence the effect of the BPIPT on soil Cr(VI) content. Finally, microbial activity was generally stimulated after BPIPT addition to the soil. This information is relevant because: 1) it shows that the beneficial use of the BPIPT as an N fertilizer is important for adding value to a by-product with agronomic potential; and 2) it indicates that, at the dosage of the BPIPT used in this study (2.5 g kgsoil−1), the typical increases in the soil concentration of labile Cr (0–25 mg kgsoil−1) and Cr(VI) (0–0.8 mg kgsoil−1) due to the application of the BPIPT are not detrimental to biological activity in the soil. However, further investigations are still necessary to evaluate the mobility of these Cr species in the soil and possible risks of groundwater contamination, which were not addressed in this study.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de cádmio (Cd) e chumbo (Pb) na cultura da mostarda (Brassica juncea) e sua relação com o desenvolvimento das plantas, os teores, o acúmulo e a translocação nas raízes e na parte aérea, plantas de mostarda em solução nutritiva de Clark foram cultivadas e submetidas a doses crescentes de Cd (0,00; 0,25; 1,00; 5,00 e 10,00 mg.L-1) e de Pb (0,00; 2,50; 10,00; 50,00 e 100,00 mg.L-1). O Cd mostrou significativa translocação na planta, o que se deve à formação de um complexo entre essa espécie química e a fitoquelatina; a baixa translocação de Pb e o efeito deletério se devem a depósitos radiculares de quelatos estáveis de Pb.

With the objective of evaluating the effect of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the culture of mustard (Brassica juncea) and its relationship with plant development, levels, accumulation and translocation in roots and shoots, mustard plants were grown in Clark nutrient solution and subjected to increasing doses of Cd (0.00; 0.25; 1.00; 5.00 and 10.00 mg.L-1) and Pb (0.00; 2.50; 10.00; 50.00 and 100.00 mg.L-1). Cd showed a significant translocation into the plant, which is due to the formation of a complex between the chemical species and phytochelatin; the low translocation of Pb and deleterious effects are due to root deposits of Pb stable chelates.