Lead contamination in the urban environment is a continuing serious public health concern. Historically lead entered the urban residential area though paint pigment and gasoline additives. This legacy persists as the two most important lead sources that affect children in the urban environment: contaminated paint residue and contaminated soil. One technique for remediation of lead in urban soils is phytoremediation. Previous research has shown Brassica juncea, Indian mustard, to be a promising phytoremediator of lead in soil. Researchers commonly use broad leafed mustard such as Southern Giant Curly Leaf, because it is an accumulator of lead, has extremely high production of mustard green biomass in a short growing season, and is adaptable to poor soil conditions. The authors believe that use of broadleaf mustard in the urban environment may be problematic. The greens are enjoyed as a food, are easily recognized, and may be pilfered and eaten. This research tested the hypothesis that seed mustard, which produces abundant flowers but few greens, would be more suitable. Two 64 m(2) plots were prepared in a Greater Rochester Urban Bounty garden, located at a busy intersection in Rochester New York's low-income northeast neighborhood. One plot was sown thickly with Southern Giant, and the other with seed mustard. As the plants approached maturity the entire crop of Southern Giant mustard was pilfered, but the seed mustard remained untouched. At maturity the seed mustard produced 550g dry biomass per m(2). Subsequent testing included germination of seed mustard in lead-contaminated soil, and trials to determine maximum biomass production using seed mustard by varying planting density. Results indicate no detriment to germination rate, and a maximum biomass production capacity approaching 7 Kg/m(2).
