Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test (OECD TG 208)
The Terrestrial Plant Test according to OECD TG 208 is designed to evaluate the effects of chemicals on the germination and early growth of terrestrial plants. This test provides essential information on potential phytotoxicity and impacts on crop and non-crop plant species.
In this study, seeds of selected plant species are sown in soil treated with a range of concentrations of the test substance. Plants are grown under controlled environmental conditions, and observations are made throughout the germination and early growth phase, typically lasting 14 to 21 days depending on the species.
Key endpoints include seedling emergence, survival, and early growth parameters such as shoot and root length. These data are used to establish concentration–response relationships and to determine the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC).
This test provides valuable information for assessing the potential ecological impact of chemicals on terrestrial vegetation and supports regulatory risk assessment for plant-protecting substances and other environmental contaminants.
