Genotypic variation in lead (Pb) accumulation dataset in sweetpotato flesh for 10 accessions from the United States of America

Ten sweetpotato genotypes were exposed to 10 mg L^-1 Pb (lead as aqueous Pb(NO₃)₂) during 60 days of growth. Total lead content in the sweet potato flesh was determined by separating the flesh from the skins, acid digestion of the flesh and analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All genotypes exposed to lead accumulated lead at least five-fold above background levels. Variation in lead accumulation among genotypes was observed with higher accumulating genotypes retaining about 3 times more lead in storage root flesh tissue than lower accumulators. This dataset can assist growers in their efforts to grow safer food and also assist breeders in developing sweetpotato varieties that accumulate less lead.