A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the soil fractions, and assess plant availability of Cr Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a Glynwood silt loam amended with five rates (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 metric tons/ha) of composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) or composted sewage sludge (CSS) cropped to oats (Avena sativa). The application of the composts tended to shift the solid phase forms of the metals away from those extractable with HNO3 to those extractable with NaOH and EDTA. The more labile fractions (KNO3 and H2O extracts) of the metals typically decreased with application of CMSW and CSS. Crop dry matter increased at the 30 and 60 MTI her CMSW rates by 142 and 152%, respectively, after which yields declined to below control values. Yields at all rates of CSS declined. The CMSW and CSS had an insignificant effect on concentrations of Cr and Pb in oar tissue, brit tissue levels of Cu, Ni and Zn increased with increased rate of compost application. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.