Aflatoxin toxicity and mode of action in plant tissues.

The present paper reviews a selective sample of the last decade's literature relating to the mechanism(s) by which aflatoxins produce toxic responses in plants. Also is reported a portion of our published data regarding pollen germination as well as tube elongation and its metabolism and our recent studies on these areas in excised, cultured soya-bean roots. A possible role(s) for aflatoxins in regulation of membrance biogenesis and/or permeability as well as in membrane-associated processes is suggested.