Use the same kind of container for both treatments. Punch holes in the bottoms for drainage. Fill one container using charcoal-treated or uncontaminated soil and another with soil as it came from the field. Properly identify each container. Atrazine injury symptoms on seedlings should become apparent between eight and 20 days after the plants emerge.
Less time is required if high levels of atrazine are present.
Thoroughly wet the soil. Lower temperatures are satisfactory for oats. Cover the containers with plastic food wrap until plants begin to emerge to help insure favorable moisture conditions during germination. At emergence remove the plastic. Water as needed.