Probing the perturbative NLO parton evolution in the small-x region

A dedicated test of the perturbative QCD NLO parton evolution in the very small-x region is performed. We find a good agreement with recent precision HERA data for F-2(P)(x, Q(2)), as well as with the present determination of the curvature of F-2(P). Characteristically, perturbative QCD evolutions result in a positive curvature which increases as x decreases. Future precision measurements in the very small x-region, x < 10(-4), could provide a sensitive test of the range of validity of perturbative QCD