Response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to root-applied chlorsulfuron (2-chloro N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide), a herbicide for use in small grains, was investigated. The results showed that, although wheat roots take up more chlorsulfuron than barley roots, barley was less tolerant to chlorsulfuron and chlorsulfuron was more mobile in barley. This study indicated that difference in uptake or translocation cannot explain the differential response of the two species to root-applied chlorsulfuron.

In an interaction study, significant chlorsulfuron antagonism on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) control by diclofop {(±)[-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy) propanoic acid} was observed. Greenhouse experiments showed that the tolerance of corn (Zea mays L.) to chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron (2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-l,3,5-triazin- -2-yl) amino] carbonyl] amino] sulfonyl] benzoic acid) was greatly increased by seed dressing with the herbicide safener NA (1,8-naphthalic anhydride).

The soil behavior of chlorsulfuron was studied in the field, greenhouse and laboratory. In the field, corn adequately tolerated soil residues present 10 months following postemergence application of chlorsulfuron at 10 to 120 g/ha. However, at the same site and rates, residues from chlorsulfuron injured corn when sampled 2 months after application. In laboratory studies chlorsulfuron was moderately adsorbed by organic matter but showed low affinity to clay. R_f values calculated from soil thin-layer chromatography closely correlated with the mobility of chlorsulfuron leached with 16.8 cm of water over a 14-day period in hand-packed soil columns. In the soil thin-layer chromatography, chlorsulfuron mobility was positively and negatively correlated with pH and organic matter, respectively. The results indicated that chlorsulfuron could be mobile in low organic matter and non-acidic soils. The relationship of chlorsulfuron phytotoxicity to soil physical and chemical properties was also evaluated. Organic matter was inversely related to chlorsulfuron phytotoxicity while no such relationship to clay content was observed. The adsorption of chlorsulfuron decreased with increasing soil pH whereas desorption was greater at alkaline pH.