Test site requirements, evaluation and selection

A detailed description of the test system (crop) should be given in the study plan. Information on the growth stage and development of the crop (especially for the period 

For applications made in the glasshouses or from post-harvest treatments, a single season is usually adequate since the geographical distribution of trial sites is immaterial. Specific conditions which affect cultivation (heated glasshouse, cold glasshouse, hydroponics) should be considered. These climatic conditions in protected crops usually lead to higher residues compared with the open-field situations. 

Where a significant part of the consumable crop is present during the application, half of the trials reported should include data on the residue level present over time (residue decline studies). The number of decline trials may be reduced if it can be shown that the edible part of the crop is not affected or present at the time of application of the test item and no movement of the active ingredient or its metabolite occurs. 

Processing studies may also be required if the crop of interest is subsequently processed into commodities for human consumption (e.g., fmit juice, pomace, preserves, etc.). 

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