A METHOD AND KIT FOR TESTING STRESS EFFECTS IN LIVING ORGANISM

摘要

The present invention concerns a method of testing whether a living organism has been exposed to stress, such as pesticide exposure, e.g., whether weed crops have been exposed to herbicide. Based on non-separated compounds obtained from an organism, e.g., an extract from a plant, a color development is generated. The color or shade developed is dependent on the compounds of the organism. By comparing the color or shade of the extract obtained from an organism with a standard color scale developed with respect to the same organism, it is possible to determine the final effect of the stress upon the growth of the plant. The invention also concerns a method of providing a standard color scale for material from a living organism that has been exposed to stress, e.g., a pesticide. As assay kit for the determination of the final effect of the stress upon the growth of the plant is also described. The present invention may be used by farmers or advisors to predict the final effect of herbicide treatment of plants before visual signs appear on the plants.