This part of ISO 11269 describes a method that is applicable to the determination of possible toxic effects of solid or liquid chemicals incorporated in soil on the emergence and early stages of growth and development of a variety of terrestrial plants. It does not give an indication of damage resulting from direct contact of seedlings with the chemical in the vapour or liquid phase outside the soil environment. The method is also applicable to the comparison of soils of known and unknown quality. Information on how to adapt the method for this purpose is given in Annex B.