Agricultural soils can be contaminated with various compounds as a result of their both direct (point source) and indirect inputs (non-point source). Contaminated soils adversely affect soil productivity, natural ecosystems, food quality, and human health (Behera et al., 2021). The contamination in the agricultural landscapes has spread significantly in recent decades, driven by industrial development, military interests, mining activities, intensive agriculture, and natural disasters (Ambaye et al., 2022; Oerke, 2006). This contamination continues to spread as these drivers remain prevalent and, in some cases, are intensifying. A range of manufactured chemicals, such as toxic metal(loid)s, dyes, industrial waste, pesticides, fertilisers, and hydrocarbons, cause these contaminations (Khodabakhshloo et al., 2021; Naidu et al., 2021). Of all contaminants of concern, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) rank highly due to their broad exposure pathways in soil and water, and severe toxicological impact on ecological receptors (Figure 1).