At normally used postemergence doses, soil activity is marginal or lacking. Cell Membrane Destroyers Compounds in this group result in rapid disruption of cell membranes and very rapid kill. Herbicidal oils dissolve membranes directly. Rapid destruction of cell membranes prevents translocation to other regions of the plant. Severe injury is evident hours after application, first as water-soaked areas which later turn yellow or brown.
Maximum kill is attained in a week or less.
New growth on surviving plants will be normal in appearance. Foliar activity alone can provide only shoot kill. These foliar applied, strongly cationic, relatively toxic herbicides are used postemergence only. Extremely strong binding to clay prevents activity for weed control or leaching in the soil. Only shoot kill can be expected.