United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances
(7101)
EPA 712-C-96-152
April 1996
&EPA Ecological Effects Test
Guidelines
OPPTS 850.4025
Target Area
Phytotoxicity
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Introduction
This guideline is one of a series of test guidelines that have been
developed by the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances,
United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in the testing of
pesticides and toxic substances, and the development of test data that must
be submitted to the Agency for review under Federal regulations.
The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS)
has developed this guideline through a process of harmonization that
blended the testing guidance and requirements that existed in the Office
of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and appeared in Title 40,
Chapter I, Subchapter R of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) which appeared in publications of the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and the guidelines pub-
lished by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD).
The purpose of harmonizing these guidelines into a single set of
OPPTS guidelines is to minimize variations among the testing procedures
that must be performed to meet the data requirements of the U. S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2601) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(7 U.S.C. 136, etseq.).
Public Draft Access Information: This draft guideline is part of a
series of related harmonized guidelines that need to be considered as a
unit. For copies: These guidelines are available electronically from the
EPA Public Access Gopher (gopher.epa.gov) under the heading "Environ-
mental Test Methods and Guidelines" or in paper by contacting the OPP
Public Docket at (703) 305-5805 or by e-mail:
guidelines@epamail.epa.gov.
To Submit Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit com-
ments. By mail: Public Docket and Freedom of Information Section, Office
of Pesticide Programs, Field Operations Division (7506C), Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person:
bring to: Rm. 1132, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ar-
lington, VA. Comments may also be submitted electronically by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: guidelines@epamail.epa.gov.
Final Guideline Release: This guideline is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 on The Federal Bul-
letin Board. By modem dial 202-512-1387, telnet and ftp:
fedbbs.access.gpo.gov (IP 162.140.64.19), or call 202-512-0135 for disks
or paper copies. This guideline is also available electronically in ASCII
and PDF (portable document format) from the EPA Public Access Gopher
(gopher.epa.gov) under the heading "Environmental Test Methods and
Guidelines."
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OPPTS 850.4025 Target area phytotoxicity.
(a)	Scope—(1) Applicability. This guideline is intended to meet test-
ing requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136, et seq.).
(2)	Background. The source material used in developing this har-
monized OPPTS test guideline is OPP 121-1 Target Area Phytotoxicity
Testing (Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision J—Hazard Evalua-
tion; Nontarget Plants) EPA report 540/09-82-020, 1982.
(3)	Test objective. This guideline should be used in conjunction with
OPPTS guideline 850.4000, Background—Nontarget plant testing, which
provides general information and overall guidance for the nontarget plants
test guidelines.
(i)	General. (A) Target area testing studies are designed to provide
phytotoxicity information on a pesticide. These phytotoxicity data are
needed to evaluate the effect of the level of pesticide exposure to target
area terrestrial and aquatic plants that are not intended to be controlled,
and to assess the impact of pesticides on endangered and threatened plants
as noted under the Endangered Species Act. Where a phytotoxic effect
is noted in one or more plant species, further target area phytotoxicity
studies may be required (after consultation with the Agency). These studies
are required by 40 CFR 158.150 to support the registration of any pesticide
intended for outdoor use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended.
(B) The target area phytotoxicity studies are unique because the pes-
ticide is being applied in the field using commercial application equipment
and typical methodologies. Several factors can affect the degree of possible
phytotoxic response. Cultural practices can vary with production areas and
frequently from grower to grower within an area. These include irrigation
practices, mowing, and field cultivation practices. Method of application
can dictate the route of exposure of the pesticide to the plant, i.e., whether
it is by the roots or shoots and leaves.
(ii)	Objective of the target area test. The objective of the target
area test is to determine if a pesticide exerts any detrimental effects to
plants during the their entire life cycle. The test is performed on those
desirable target area or pest host plant species as listed on the label which
will be in the target area. Being a multiple dose test, it is designed to
evaluate the phytotoxic effects of the pesticide over a wide range of antici-
pated pesticide quantities as may be found in the environment.
(b)	Definitions. The definitions in OPPTS Guideline 830.4000, Back-
ground-Nontarget Plant Testing, section 3 of the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA), and 40 CFR Part 792—Good Laboratory Practice Standards
apply to this guideline. In addition, for the purpose of this guideline, the
following definitions apply:
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Effective dosage range (EDR) refers to the range of dosage levels
beginning with the lowest dosage capable of achieving the level of control
specified by the applicable performance standard for the least taxing condi-
tions under which it will be used (e.g., pest levels, soil types, water condi-
tions, geographical and climatological conditions, etc.), and ending at the
lowest dosage required to achieve the specified level of control under the
most taxing conditions under which it will be used.
Effectiveness refers to a product's ability to control the specific target
pest or produce the specified plant or animal response when the product
is applied in accordance with the label directions, precautions, and limita-
tions of use. The term effectiveness, as used in this guideline, is synony-
mous with the term efficacy.
Full coverage, as used in common agricultural practice, refers to a
volume of spray applied to plants to the point of runoff or drip.
Large scale plot refers to any plot large enough to permit the use
of typical commercial application equipment (when such equipment is
needed for pesticide application).
Low volume or LV, as used in common agricultural practice, refers
to a total volume of spray applied broadcast as more than 0.5 gal/acre
but less than 5.0 gal/acre. (For further information, refer to paragraph (f)(2)
of this guideline.)
Minimum effective dosage or MED refers to the lowest dose level
at which the test substance achieves the level of control specified by the
applicable performance standard.
Performance data refers to any data pertaining to pesticide effective-
ness and usefulness.
Serial application refers to the label-recommended use of a pesticide
on a site before or after application of another pesticide to that site, such
that the presence of one of the pesticides may affect the effectiveness and
usefulness of the other.
Ultralow volume or ULV, as used in common agricultural practice,
refers to a total volume of 0.5 gal or less per acre (1.89 L or less per
hectare). (For further information, refer to paragraph (f)(l)of this guide-
line.)
(c) Test standards. In addition to the general standards set forth in
OPPTS 850.4000, the following standards for the target area phytotoxicity
testing apply:
(1) Test substance. The test substance is to be the end-use product
or a representative end-use product from the same major formulation cat-
egory for that general use pattern. Examples of major formulation cat-
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egories are: Wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, and granulars.
(If the manufacturing-use product is usually formulated into end-use prod-
ucts comprising two or more major formulation categories, a separate
study must be performed with a typical end-use product for each category.)
(2)	Test species. Those desirable target area or pest host plant species
as listed on the label (for example, the crop plant or ornamental) which
will be within the target area should be tested. The plant cultivars to be
tested should include representatives of the cultivars that are most likely
to be used.
(3)	Applications levels, (i) The minimum, maximum (or the greatest
allowable concentration), and 2x the maximum label application level or
rate should be tested. Levels greater than 2x the label rate may also be
included. The estimated nondiscernible effect (or no-effect) level should
also be determined.
(ii) The multiples of the application rate to be tested are those various
quantities of the formulation in the label-recommended quantity of carrier
(such as water) to be used per land or aquatic use area.
(4)	Adjuvants. Products with labeling which allows or recommends
the addition of separately-packaged adjuvants to the spray tank should be
supported with data indicating any detrimental effects (such as increased
crop phytotoxicity) which may result from their addition to the pesticide,
especially a herbicide, plant regulator, desiccant, or defoliant. If a range
of adjuvant rates is recommended, the maximum rates within that range
should be evaluated in conjunction with the intended pesticide product.
(5)	Tank mixtures. When tank mixtures are recommended on prod-
uct labeling, a study may be required on a case-by-case basis to dem-
onstrate the extent of antagonism and synergism with respect to detrimen-
tal effects on nontarget plants by the products of tank mixtures. Antag-
onism and synergism are best evaluated in adjacent plots where possible
interactions are subjected to statistical analysis. See OPPTS Guideline
840.1400 for possible combined testing.
(6)	Serial applications. Data requirements for serial applications of
one or more pesticides preceding or following another pesticide on the
same crop area in the same growing season are identical to those described
in paragraph (c)(5) of this guideline for tank mixes with respect to
phytotoxicity, when such serial applications are recommended on the label.
See OPPTS 840.1400 for possible combined testing.
(7)	Site. The test should be performed in greenhouses, field plots,
or wherever the product is intended to be used.
(8)	Protocol. The protocols, methods, or practices should be those
employed for the anticipated registered use of the pesticide product. Spe-
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cific points of information that should be addressed concerning use pat-
terns, application methodology, cultural practices, responses, and subse-
quent planting are found in this paragraph.
(d) Reporting. In addition to the information required by OPPTS
850.4000, the test report should include the following information with
respect to phytotoxicity to the plants within the target area (with the excep-
tion of weeds). This information should include the method of application,
cultural practices, plant responses, subsequent plantings, and use patterns
that may be involved.
(1) General information—(i) Timing of applications. When crops
or desirable target area plants are or will be involved in the application
of any pesticide, their stage of growth or development at application
should be described in the test report.
(ii)	Meteorological conditions. Where meteorological conditions
cause detrimental effects on plants which in turn allow the pesticide to
further adversely affect the plants, the specific factors, such as temperature,
wind conditions, precipitation, or day length affecting product activity
should be measured and reported. Edaphic factors, such as soil moisture
content and temperature, which are directly affected by meteorological
conditions, should also be reported. Soil moisture may be observed and
expressed in terms of dry and cracked, waterlogged, or other similar condi-
tions. Soil type and organic matter content of the soil should also be re-
ported.
(iii)	Spray dilutions. In foliar applications, when a pesticide in ap-
plied as a diluted spray and the quantity is dependent upon the number
of trees per area or density of vegetation, the total spray volume per unit
area and the concentration of the applied pesticide should be reported.
(iv)	Untreated controls (checks). In phytotoxicity evaluations, all
treated plots, plants, and/or commodities should be compared directly to
untreated control plots, plants, or commodities. All quality and/or yield
evaluations of pesticide-treated plants or commodities should be compared
to control plants or commodities receiving the same pesticides (e.g., herbi-
cides, insecticides, fungicides) except the one being evaluated. Detailed
descriptions of plots and plants used as control treatments for comparisons
of detrimental side effects should be included for each test. Since such
control plots are established to evaluate any direct detrimental effects of
the pesticide on the crop or commodity rather than to evaluate efficacy,
any detrimental effects on the crop or commodity resulting from pests
should be controlled using nonchemical means. In other words, the control
plots should be both untreated by the pesticide in question and as pest-
free as reasonably possible. Only captan and thiram seed treatments are
currently approved. All other pesticide treatments must be reviewed by
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the Agency for antagonistic/synergistic interactions with the test chemical
prior to use in the test.
(2) Use patterns. When the following use patterns are found on the
label, the corresponding information as detailed below should be reported.
(i)	Use in field crops. Effects of pesticides on desirable target area
plants should be evaluated and reported. The extent and duration of the
effect should be expressed in terms of stand and vigor, recovery, yields,
and degree of phytotoxicity.
(ii)	Use on pastures and rangelands. Effects of pesticides on desir-
able target area plants should be evaluated and reported. Severity and dura-
tion of adverse effects on desirable plant species, expressed in terms of
stand and vigor reductions, recovery, and changes in yields, should be re-
ported. Data should be submitted addressing reseeding intervals which
minimize adverse effects on reseeded plants, and animal grazing rec-
ommendations which allow recovery of desired plant species. If the ap-
plied pesticide kills all vegetation in the treated area for an extended period
of time resulting in bare spots, the registrant should record the duration
of this effect, estimated soil loss by erosion, and any changes in vegetation
cover (desirable or undesirable).
(iii)	Use on and around fruit and nut trees. Applications of pes-
ticides on and around fruit and nut trees require evaluation and reporting
of detrimental effects on foliage, and changes in growth compared to
preapplication measurements and simultaneous controls. Pesticide applica-
tions to bearing fruit and nut tree areas also require evaluation and report-
ing of detrimental effects on yields and commodity (produce) quality for
the year of and the year after application. Supporting data should address,
for all trees, the age of the trees, the transplant-to-application interval, and
the maximum allowable extent of contact between the pesticide (with par-
ticular reference to herbicide spray drift) and trees. For ground sprays,
unless the pesticide is broadcast over the entire orchard floor, data should
indicate the application technique (band, spot, shielded, or directed spray
application) and the size of the treated ground area around the tree trunk.
Assessment of root sucker treatments should be made where applicable.
For foliar sprays, the data should include the volume of finished spray
applied per unit of land area, concentration of product in the spray solu-
tion, and the extent of foliage coverage (such as volume of finished spray
per tree or application to the point of runoff).
(iv)	Use on lawns and turf. Evaluation of effects of pesticides on
representative species or cultivars of desirable lawn and turf plants should
include such factors as color, density, percent cover, growth rate, rooting,
and tillering. If use on bentgrass is intended, this highly susceptible species
should be evaluated. Data should address use on newly-seeded lawns by
demonstrating safety to representative species and cultivars of desirable
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lawn plants to be named on the label as kinds on which the product is
safe to use, with seeding-to-application intervals (if appropriate). Data
should also address use of an appropriate application-to-reseeding interval
for each of these desirable lawn plants that may be reseeded. Interactions
between herbicide application and lawn cultural practices (such as raking,
mowing, mowing height, watering, and fertilizing) should be evaluated for
possible adverse effects on desirable lawn species. In situations where fer-
tilizer and a pesticide are applied serially and both types of products may
contact the emerged crop foliage (such as in turf or lawns), the interval
between application of the pesticide and the fertilizer should be reported,
as well as any resultant phytotoxic effect, stunting, or discoloration, and
recovery time for the injured desirable species.
(v)	Use around ornamentals. Phytotoxicity data in support of use
on or around an ornamental should include an evaluation of the sensitivity
of representative cultivars of that species. Since it has been documented
that cultivars and varieties of the same species vary in their susceptibility
to injury, the limited nature of testing should be addressed in product label-
ing. Test data should identify the method of application as to directed
spray and/or topical applications. Growth stage of the ornamentals and the
transplant-to-application interval (when applicable) should be indicated in
the test data. Information should be submitted on specialized nursery cul-
tural practices employed in tests, such as use of artificial soils, mulches,
containerized stock, and other pesticides.
(vi)	Use in forest management. The effects of the pesticide on desir-
able plant species commonly present in forest management, in addition
to the desirable forest trees, should be indicated in the report with any
detrimental or adverse effects that the pesticide may cause. Special atten-
tion should be given to pesticidal effects on noncompetitive ground cover
species that aid in the land management practices such an erosion control.
Appropriate testing and assessment techniques adapted to the size of the
plot should be used to determine the effect of pesticides on all plants.
(Refer to paragraph (f)(2) of this guideline.)
(3) Application methodology. All methods of pesticide application
specified on the label should be evaluated and reported. Specific detail
as to descriptions of equipment design, adjustment, and operation should
be provided in test reports involving aerial applications and applications
using conventional farm equipment (such as tillage or planting equipment),
irrigation systems, mechanical incorporation, directed sprays, mist blower
(air blast, air carrier), subsurface placement, or band rather than broadcast
distribution.
(i) Aerial application. Guidance and the data requirements for testing
aerial applications is be provided under OPPTS Series 840.
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(ii)	Irrigation system application. (A) For irrigation system applica-
tions, multiple plots and subplots within a treated field should be examined
and the results reported for crop phytotoxicity (expressible as yield quan-
tity, quality, and timeliness of harvestable commodity) as an indication
of pesticide hazard. Data from such plots should be reported for each indi-
vidual plot and not averaged together. It is important that, in addition to
the standard requirements for conventional applications, submitted data
should include soil texture, percent soil organic matter, relative soil mois-
ture content (dry, medium, or wet) at application, acre-inches of water
applied, and precipitation quantities within one week after application.
(B)	For overhead sprinkler irrigation systems, plots should be placed
at both extreme ends of the lateral as well as in at least one area where
the sprinkler patterns overlap. On a center pivot, several "pie" sections
may be used for treatment subplots in one half with the second half of
the plot as the control. The concentration of active ingredient (AI) at sev-
eral nozzles along the lateral should also be determined and reported.
(C)	For surface irrigation systems such as flood, furrow, drip, and
surge, the following data should be submitted: Concentrations of AIs in
water should be determined for the study plots where the treated water
enters the field, and at the lower and of the field or where the water exits.
When furrow irrigation is used, data should indicate the spatial relationship
between crop rows and furrows. If pest control in furrow irrigation applica-
tions is intended only for the furrow itself and not the bed between the
furrows, the data should so indicate.
(iii)	Directed sprays. When sprays are directed toward or away from
certain portions of the soil or plants, data should indicate nozzle arrange-
ments, nozzle orientations, the extent of spray contact with soil or plants,
and application height.
(iv)	Mist blower applications. Guidance and the data requirements
for testing mist blowers (air blast and air carriers) is provided under
OPPTS Series 840.
(v)	Subsurface soil applications. When pesticides are applied di-
rectly beneath the soil surface (injected through shanks or spray blades,
or gravity fed), test reports should include information on the application
equipment. For example, for injection equipment, the following should be
specified: Application device spacing, depth of operation, injection pres-
sure, speed of operation, volume of liquid or gas applied per unit area
for general broadcast applications or linear row distance for band and row
applications, and the number and placement of injectors with respect to
plant rows.
(vi)	Other aquatic applications. When a pesticide is applied to a
natural aquatic system other than an irrigation system, the following appli-
cation information should be included:
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(A)	Target site where the pesticide was applied (for example, to weed
foliage, to surface of water, to bottom of water body, into (water, to
ditchbank, to shoreline, or to forests).
(B)	Description of the equipment used to apply the pesticide (for ex-
ample, ground-spraying device, pumping device, boat, blower, helicopter,
or fixed-wing aircraft).
(C)	Description of any water level changes used in conjunction with
the pesticide application, such as drawdown operation or drainage of con-
veyance system, including the extent of water level change, the time of
the change in relation to the pesticide application, and the duration of the
change in water level.
(D)	The timing of the application in relation to the calendar date and
the stage of growth of the target and nontarget organisms.
(4) Cultural practices. Cultural practices for a given use pattern or
application method vary with production areas and frequently from grower
to grower within an area. The effects of cultural practices on the product's
possible detrimental effects should, therefore, be addressed.
(i)	Irrigation. Irrigation and watering practices should be studied as
a variable if the product is to be used in irrigated areas or greenhouses,
respectively. The influence of different irrigation practices should be stud-
ied in the use area. Irrigation data should include a description of equip-
ment and techniques used in water application, the number and timing
of irrigations, and quantity of water in acre-inches (hectare-centimeters)
applied at each irrigation. Also, describe the chronological relationship be-
tween irrigation applications and application of the pesticide, such as her-
bicide, plant regulator, desiccant, or defoliant. Where flood irrigation is
utilized (such as in rice production), depth, duration, and any "flushing"
should be described for each test. When irrigation is used to activate a
pesticide in the absence of precipitation, the minimum and maximum ap-
plication-to-irrigation interval (producing the desired efficacy level) should
be reported. Since crop safety is often influenced by pesticide placement
in the soil profile, and irrigation may directly affect such placement, label-
recommended or label-allowed irrigation practices should be supported by
crop safety data (phytotoxicity and yield). When irrigation practices result
in loss of pesticide contaminated water (as in runoff or drainage) from
the target area, data should be submitted addressing effects of such water
on nontarget plants.
(ii)	Mowing. Mowing operations may enhance detrimental effects
from pesticides intended for use on lawns, turf, golf courses, median strips,
pastures, rangeland, and hay and forage crops. Mowing just prior to or
just after a pesticide application may, by mechanically injuring desirable
plants or by decreasing growth rates, increase injury to desirable plants
(especially young shoots). Mowing just prior to application may be a re-
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quirement for plant regulators intended to maintain the neat appearance
of grassy areas by retarding grass growth. In situations where mowing
is routinely a part of cultural practices, or may influence detrimental ef-
fects, such practices should be reported in test results.
(5) Target area plant responses. The detrimental effects on crops,
commodities (produce), or any other desirable plant species or commodity
within the target area should be evaluated and reported. The following
are some of the characteristics that should be addressed:
(i)	Stand. Crop stand counts, reported as percentage of untreated con-
trol crop stands, should be submitted.
(ii)	Vigor. Crop vigor (or stunt) ratings or measurements (plant
height, weight, diameter, or length) in treated areas should be compared
to plants in check plots in which commercially acceptable levels of pest
control are maintained. Vigor ratings should be reported at the point of
maximum stunting. If stunting is observed, it is important that subsequent
evaluations be made to document the degree of recovery.
(iii)	Planting depths. A range of planting depths within the range
recommended for the crop should be included in preliminary studies with
preplant and preemergence (to crop) applications. Data obtained from these
trials should reflect any effects of varying planting depths on the incidence
of crop injury that might be encountered under commercial use conditions.
In subsequent trials, commercial planting equipment at recommended
depth settings should be used. If in preliminary studies the planting depth
is found to be a critical variable, crop emergence data should be taken
from all trials.
(iv)	Lodging. The effect of pesticides on lodging of target area crops
such as soybean, wheat, corn, sorghum, rice, or sugarcane should be indi-
cated. Observed percent of treated plants affected and the severity or ap-
proximate degree of angle of lodging in treated plots should be compared
to that in weed-free check plots.
(v)	Phytotoxicity. Evaluations of visible symptoms of pesticide injury
(such as discoloration, malformations, desiccation, defoliation, or death)
to crop plants should be at least visually assessed and reported. These
symptoms should be compared to results in check plants untreated with
the pesticide in question. Evaluations should be performed at the time in-
jury is first observed and at periodic intervals thereafter to document the
degree of recovery.
(vi)	Development. Effects of pesticides on plant development (such
as delayed emergence, prolonged vegetative growth, delayed or decreased
flowering or fruit set, or delayed maturation) should be indicated in test
results. If such effects are outgrown by or before the usual harvest date,
such recovery should be reported.
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(vii) Yields. Effects of pesticides on yields should be reported. Yield
data can confirm that there are no lasting detrimental effects on the desir-
able target area plants due to the pesticide application. Yield data may
also be used to evaluate benefits derived from the application. When yields
are evaluated in relation to crop safety or phytotoxicity, yields from treated
plots should be compared to yields from untreated plots. Comparisons of
treated and untreated (control) plot yields, when expressed as weight of
seed (grain and dry beans) or hay, should be based upon equivalent mois-
ture contents (percent moisture) acceptable for commodity storage. In the
case of weed control, yields from weedy check plots may be reduced as
a result of weed competition and may mask crop injury due to herbicide
application. Therefore, herbicide yield comparisons should be drawn from
the treated plots and weed-free plots. The maintenance of weed-free con-
trol plots may be accomplished by some nonchemical weeding practice.
When any adverse effects indicated in paragraphs (d)(5)(i) through
(d)(5)(vi) of this guideline occur, the ultimate indication of their impact
can usually be evaluated at harvest.
(6) Subsequent planting. The effects of pesticides on desirable plants
subsequently planted in the area within 6 months of application should
be evaluated and reported. Subsequent planting may include emergency
replanting of crops or trees within the target area where crop failure may
have occurred and where the planting of rotational crops (including cover
crops) takes place after the harvesting of the crop present during the pes-
ticide application.
(i)	Emergency replanting. If pesticide labeling states that crops may
be safely replanted after an initial crop failure, the submitted data should
support: The crops suitable for replanting, pesticide application-to-replant-
ing intervals, additional pesticide applications recommended or allowed,
recommended soil tillage, and soil and meteorological conditions under
which replanting is or is not recommended. For example, when the original
pesticide was applied in bands, as in the case of certain herbicides, replant-
ing may be recommended to take place only between the treated bands.
(ii)	Rotational crops (including cover crops). If detrimental effects
are observed, results of studies evaluating severity and duration of effects
on the injured rotational crops should be submitted. To determine the dura-
tion of phytotoxic effects, susceptible rotational crops should be planted
at varying time intervals after pesticide application. Such studies may be
combined with field studies designed to evaluate soil residues.
(e) Data reporting. (1) The registrant's report on target area testing
studies should include all information necessary to provide:
(A)	A complete and accurate description of the greenhouse/field plot
treatments and procedures.
(B)	Sampling data and phytotoxicity rating.
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(C)	Data on storage of the plant material, if so performed.
(D)	Results of any chemical analysis of the plant material.
(E)	Reporting of the data, rating system and statistical analysis.
(F)	Quality control measures/precautions taken to ensure the fidelity
of the operations.
(2) Each greenhouse/field plot target area testing report should include
the following information:
(i)	General. (A) Cooperator or researcher (name and address), test
location (county and state; country, if outside of the United States), and
date of study.
(B)	Name (and signature), title, organization, address, and telephone
number of the persons responsible for planning/supervising/monitoring
and, for field plot studies, applying the pesticide.
(C)	Trial identification number.
(D)	Quality assurance indicating control measures/precautions fol-
lowed to ensure the fidelity of the phytotoxicity determinations, record-
keeping procedures and availability of logbooks, skill of the laboratory
personnel, equipment status of the laboratory and/or greenhouse, degree
of adherence to good laboratory practices, and degree of adherence to good
agricultural practices in maintaining healthy plants.
(E)	Other information the registrant considers appropriate and relevant
to provide a complete and thorough description of the test procedures and
results.
(ii)	Test substance (pesticide). (A) Identification of the test pesticide
AI including chemical name, common name (ANSI, BSI, ISO, WSSA),
and Company developmental/experimental name.
(B)	AI percentage in the end-use product or representative end-use
product. The representative end-use product must be of the same AI and
formulation category, but it may be of a different concentration, i.e., 2
percent wettable powder vs. 4 percent wettable powder.
(C)	Additional solvents or adjuvants used to dissolve and apply the
pesticide if the pesticide is intended for use at aquatic sites and it is insolu-
ble in or immiscible with water.
(D)	Dose rates in terms of active ingredient per area of land, water,
or leaf (if leaf-area-index is provided).
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(E)	Dose rates in terms of minimum, maximum (or greatest allowable
concentration) and 2x the maximum label application level rate and with
an estimated nondiscernible effect (or no-effect) level.
(F)	Method of application including equipment type, nozzles, pres-
sure, etc.
(G)	Number of applications.
(iii)	Plant species. (A) Identification of the desirable target area or
pest plant species with family identification. Scientific and common names
must be provided.
(B)	Identification of the number of replicates and the number of plants
per replicate per dose.
(C)	Identification of the date of planting, dates of pesticide applica-
tion, and dates of phytotoxicity rating or harvest.
(iv)	Site of the test. (A) Site description of the target area testing
study such as whether it was performed in a greenhouse, field plot, forest,
or aquatic site.
(B)	Location of the test site, geographically.
(C)	Climatological data during the test—records of applicable condi-
tions for the type of site, i.e., temperature, thermoperiod, rainfall or water
regime, photoperiod, light intensity and quality, relative humidity, wind
speed, etc.
(D)	Field lay-out (for field plots), e.g., size and number of control
and experimental plots; number of plants per plot/unit area.
(E)	Pot (greenhouse only) or row density of terrestrial plants (or their
seeds).
(F)	The intended use patterns as noted on the label for which the
tests are being performed.
(G)	Cultural practices such as cultivation and irrigation.
(H)	Substrate characteristics for terrestrial uses, including forests,
name/designation of soil type and its physical and chemical properties in-
cluding pH and percent organic matter, soil moisture content.
(I)	Substrate characteristics for aquatic uses, including water body
type, water chemistry, including pH, hardness, CEC, suspended sediments,
benthic conditions.
(v)	Results. (A) Target area plant responses, including detrimental
effects on crops, commodities (produce), or any other desirable plant spe-
cies, such as stand, vigor, planting depths, lodging, phytotoxicity (includ-
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ing a description of the rating system), and yields, to ascertain toxic effects
of the pesticide upon the plants.
(B)	Statistical analysis of the results.
(C)	Other evaluations for the individual use patterns and application
methodology, and cultural practices as indicated in this guideline.
(f) References. The following references should be consulted for ad-
ditional background material on this test guideline.
(1)	American Society of Agricultural Engineers' Pesticide Application
Subcommittee of the Agricultural Chemical Application Committee. Uni-
form terminology for pesticide spraying ASAE Handbook, ASAE-S327
(Agricultural Engineers Yearbook), p. 313 (1978).
(2)	Phillips, E.A. Methods of Vegetation Study. NY: Holt, Rhinehart,
and Winston (1959).
(3)	Little, T.M. and F.J. Hills. Agricultural Experimentation Design
and Analysis. NY, Wiley (1978).
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