Objective of the study

The study is designed to assess the effects of pesticides on earthworms within the natural site specific earthworm community either conducted in grassland or in an agricultural field. Earthworm communities are exposed to the highest recommended application rate of the pesticide and according to good agricultural practices. The pesticide can be either applied to or incorporated into soil, including soil injections or drilled pelleted formulations. The test duration is one year.

Circumstances under which the study is recommended to be required

Where the relevant risk assessment based on laboratory data indicates a chronic risk to earthworms, a field study to determine effects under practical field conditions is recommended to be conducted and reported as an option for refined risk assessment.

Test organism or substrate

The study is conducted with the natural site specific earthworm community of grassland or an agricultural field.

Test substance

• Usually conducted with the end-use product

Typical endpoints of the study

• total number of all earthworms (juveniles and adults separately);
• total biomass of all earthworms (juveniles and adults separately);
• numbers of at least the two most abundant species (if possible juveniles and adults separately);
• biomass of at least the two most abundant species (if possible juveniles and adults separately);
• species diversity.

Testing guidelines

The following test guidelines may be used for determination of toxicity on earthworms under field conditions:

• ISO Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals. Test No. 11268-3 Part 3: Guidance on the determination of effects in field situations

Note: ISO guidelines are not available free of charge but need to be purchased from the International Organization for Standardization. Pesticide regulators, however, may be able to obtain a copy through their national standards organization