Influence of aflatoxin B1 on seed germination, seedling growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of mustard (brassica juncea L. var. pusa bold) seeds.

Five different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 μg/L of aflatoxin B1 were found to be inhibitory to seed germination and seedling growth (root and shoot lengths) of mustard seeds (variety Pusa bold). These also lowered the levels of chlorophyll and carotenoids in the emerging leaves during seedling growth. The inhibitory effect was correlated with the concentration of applied toxin.