Using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis with a Ti-filtered x-ray tube it was possible to determine the concentrations of several elements, such as K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr and Pb, at ppm levels in radish plants (root and foliage) cultivated in soils treated with concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 t ha −1 of organic compost from urban garbage. A significant increase was observed in the concentrations of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb and Pb in radish plants cultivated in the treated soils in comparison with a control soil. The results suggest that radish plants can be used as bioindicator of contamination of agricultural soils.