Seeds germinate quickly, first leaves being visible within 48 hours after sowing. In the United States, planting, harvesting and threshing are mechanized. To avoid shattering, pods are harvested when still closed but mature, preferably early in the day. Sometimes plants are cut and dried on the threshing floor prior to threshing by beating with wooden flails. Mustard seed is cultivated mainly in Europe, Russia, Syria, India, China, North Africa, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Mustard seed is available in markets from cultivated strains and from imports.
Biotic Factors Black Mustard is insect-pollinated. References Duke, J.A. 1978. The quest for tolerant germplasm. Duke, J.A. 1979. Ecosystematic data on economic plants.