Comparative assessment of <i>Brassica cultivars</i> for genotypic variability in phytoremediation of soil exposed to lead (Pb) contamination

The soil pollution caused with accretion of pollutant elements like lead (Pb) is the major environmental concern nowadays. Phytoremediation of contaminated soils using <i>Brassica</i> cultivars that act as hyperaccumulator plants for Pb emerges as an important technique for decontamination of Pb spiked soils. Therefore, pot study was carried out to compare the efficiency of three <i>Brassica cultivars</i> and select the most efficient cultivar for phytoremediation of Pb spiked soils. The experimental soil was contaminated with Pb applied @ 0, 125, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg kg^-1 soil. Our outcomes reflected that increased rates of Pb pollution in soil from 125 to 1,000 mg kg^-1 soil resulted in decline of yield but enhanced the Pb acquisition of all <i>Brassica</i> cultivars. Comparison of cultivars indicated the highest biomass production (16.7 g pot^-1), Pb acquisition (4,011.7 μg pot^-1), contamination indices <i>i.e.,</i> tolerance index (70.6), and bioaccumulation coefficient (17.03) by <i>Brassica juncea</i> produced thereby proving it as the most efficient cultivar for phytoremediation of Pb spiked soil.