Argemone mexicana is an objectionable weed of _____
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To differentiate between them under a magnifying glass:
Mustard seeds are smooth, whereas *Argemone* seeds have a rough, reticulated (pitted) surface and a small pointed projection.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
An objectionable weed is a noxious weed whose seeds are so similar in size, shape, and density to the crop seed that separating them mechanically is extremely difficult.
Consequently, the presence of these weed seeds in a seed lot compromises its quality and purity. Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
*Argemone mexicana* (commonly known as Mexican prickly poppy or Satyanashi) is an annual winter weed.
Its seeds are small, round, blackish-brown, and have a pitted surface, which makes them look almost identical to mustard (*Brassica* spp.) seeds.
Because they look so similar, *Argemone* seeds are a major contaminant in harvested mustard seed lots.
This contamination is highly dangerous because *Argemone mexicana* seeds contain toxic alkaloids, primarily sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine.
Consuming mustard oil contaminated with *Argemone* oil causes a severe, potentially fatal medical condition in humans known as epidemic dropsy.
This condition is characterized by bilateral limb swelling, cardiac failure, and glaucoma.
For this reason, *Argemone mexicana* is classified as a highly objectionable weed of mustard. Step 2: Final Answer:
*Argemone mexicana* is an objectionable weed of Mustard.
