At least 6 plant species from seeds (2 to 4 true leaves stage), are exposed to the test substance sprayed by a calibrated spray equipment in order to evaluate potential adverse effects. Mortality and phytotoxicity are assessed weekly until the end of the test (21 days after the treatment) and additionally fresh shoot weight is measured at test completion to evaluate effects on biomass.

TEST SYSTEM
Plant species belonging to different plant families of dicotyledonae and monocotyledonae including among others: Daucus carota, Brassica napus, Pisum sativum, Avena sativa, Zea mais, Allium cepa, Cucumis sativus, Helianthus annuus and Phaseolus vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN
Range finding test for each plant species includes at least 3 concentrations of the test substance and 1 untreated control.
Limit test for each plant species is carried out with 1 concentration of the test substance and 1 untreated control.
Rate-response test for each plant species includes 5 concentrations of the test substance and 1 untreated control.
Based on plant species used, for each test substance concentration and for the untreated control, 6/12 replicates with 4/2 plants each one are required.

Analytical check
Stock solution is checked for test substance concentration/rate using an analytical  method validated according to SANCO/3029/99 rev. 4 guidance document.

ENDPOINTS
Mortality: LR_x and NOER at the end of the test.
Biomass as fresh shoot weight: ER_x and NOER at the end of the test.
Phytotoxicity:  visual assessment at the end of the test.
Study includes GLP management and reporting.

REFERENCES AND GUIDELINES
OECD Guideline fo Testing of Chemicals, No. 227 (19^th July 2006) – Terrestrial plant test: vegetative vigour test.
SANCO/3029/99 rev. 4 (11/07/2000) – Residues: guidance for generating and reporting methods of analysis in support of pre-registration data requirements for Annex II (Part A, section 4) and Annex III (Part A, section 5) of Directive 91/414.