The objective of this study was to evaluate phytotoxicity tests for screening and biomonitoring complex effluent samples. Seed germination tests were conducted using three effluent samples from three industrial sources. Five types of seeds were tested. Complete inhibition of germination was, however, not observed in any case. Zea mays and Dolichos biflorus were the most sensitive. There occurred a significant difference in root/shoot length and dry weight between treated and control samples at P < 0.01 and P <0.05. Results of definitive tests indicated a linear concentration-effect relation. The study indicated that phytotoxicity tests involving higher plants have a high potential for use in the biomonitoring of industrial effluents because of simplicity and sensitivity. It is concluded that the test employed here could be suitably adopted with slight modifications for tropical conditions.