Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigour Test (OECD TG 227)
The Terrestrial Plant Vegetative Vigour Test according to OECD TG 227 is designed to evaluate the effects of chemicals on the growth and development of established plants, providing essential information on potential phytotoxicity to crops and non-crop species.
In this study, young plants are grown to the early vegetative stage and then exposed to a range of concentrations of the test substance, typically applied to the foliage or soil under controlled laboratory or greenhouse conditions. The exposure period usually lasts 14 to 28 days, depending on the species tested.
Key endpoints include shoot length, biomass (fresh and dry weight), and visible signs of phytotoxicity such as chlorosis, necrosis, or growth inhibition. These measurements are used to establish concentration–response relationships and to determine endpoints such as the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC).
This test provides important data for environmental risk assessment, helping to evaluate the potential impacts of chemicals on terrestrial plant health and productivity.
