The USEPA and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have recommended or are considering recommendations for phytotoxicity testing. A study was conducted to determine the amount of quantitative data published on the species suggested in those tests. Also, the sensitivity to herbicide applications was examined by use of a computerized database, PHYTOTOX, developed at the University of Oklahoma. The format and content of this database permitted an analysis of data reported in more than 3,500 publications. Such a comprehensive consideration of data was possible only through the use of the PHYTOTOX database and, as a result, the computer analysis reported herein can be viewed as a novel approach in addressing plant toxicology questions. Although 23 plant species were considered, adequate data for making toxicological comparisons were available for only six species: oat, wheat, corn, sorghum, cucumber, and soybean. (Copyright (c) 1985 SETAC.)