ACCUMULATION OF SELENIUM IN WILD MUSTARD IRRIGATED WITH AGRICULTURAL EFFLUENT

Three field plantings were conducted from April to October 1989 on the western San Joaquin Valley in central California to evaluate the uptake of selenium (Se) and other ions in wild mustard (Brassica juncea L. czern) when irrigated with saline drainage water (EC(i) of 14-18 dS m-1 with an average concentration of 154 mug l-1 Se) or non-saline water (EC(i) of < 0.8 dS m-1 and < 3 mug l-1 Se). Dry weight yields were 25% lower and Se and other element concentrations higher in plants irrigated with drainage than with non-saline water. Irrigating wild mustard with agricultural effluent increases the Se content in plant tissue.