The capacity of anthracene uptake by plants of two varieties of pea: Kwestor and Sześciotygodniowy, from soil and its effect on growth and development of the plants were determined in a model experiment. The anthracene levels applied were 0.1 and 0.3 g/kg of soil and its concentrations in the soil and the plants were determined with the absorption and emission spectrophotometry. After harvest, anthracene was present in all pea plant organs with its greatest amount in the roots. Depending on plant variety, age and the applied concentration of anthracene, changes in the stem and root length, biomass, and dry matter as well as the course of the proper leaf and nodule formation, were observed during the vegetation period.