Herbicides tested at Kenana Agricultural Research Station (K.A.R.S.) from 1968 to 1972 showed that pre-emergence application of oxadiazon, nitrofen, linuron, phenobenzuron, prometryne, nitralin, diuron and fluorodifen gave satisfactory weed control. Applications of oxadiazon at 2·38 kg/ha, fluorodifen at 7·14 kg, nitrofen at 4·76 kg and nitralin at 3·8 kg had no adverse effect on growth of groundnuts, but prometryne, diuron, phenobenzuron and linuron at relatively lower rates caused phytotoxicity symptoms. Residues from treatment with 7·14 kg fluorodifen, 2·38 kg oxadiazon and 4·76 kg alachlor did not injure test crops, but growth of sorghum and maize was reduced 9 months after applying 3·8 kg nitralin. Phenobenzuron was persistent in soil and most test crops were injured following an application of only 1·9 kg.