Search for a standard phytotoxic bioassay for allelochemicals. Selection of standard target species

In the search for a standard bioassay of phytotoxicity for allelochemicals, 22 commercial varieties of eight plant species [four dicotyledons: lettuce (Compositae), carrot (Umbelliferae), cress (Cruciferae), tomato (Solanacea e); and four monocotyledons: onion(liliaceae), barley, wheat, and corn (Gra mineae)] proposed as models for the most common weed families have been tes ted at different pH and solution volumes per set conditions. Nine commercia l varieties selected as standard target species (STS) were tested with stan dard commercial herbicides to ensure their sensitivity to phytotoxic compou nds. Results are discussed to establish the proper growth requirements, and sensitivity of commercial seeds of STS and to find the most suitable comme rcial herbicides that allow comparison with an internal standard to validat e the response of potential allelochemicals.