Acetochlor [2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)acetamide], alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide], and metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] were applied in 280 L of water/ha to plots covered with 0 to 6720 kg/ha of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw. At straw levels of 1120 kg/ha or greater, 50% or less of the applied herbicides were received by the soil surface before irrigation. Sprinkle irrigation (1.3 cm) washed 15 to 20% of the originally applied herbicide into the soil regardless of straw level. More metolachlor was retained on the straw than acetochlor or alachlor. Analysis of the wheat straw indicated that little water-extractable herbicide remained for all herbicides. Initial herbicidal activity on grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] was reduced by the presence of wheat straw at the time of application, with acetochlor being least affected and alachlor most affected. Ten days after treatment, less than 10% of the original alachlor and acetochlor remained in the soil. When planted at this time, grain sorghum response was inversely related to the amount of straw mulch that was originally present. Metolachlor residues in the soil on day 10 were 11 to 26% of that on day 0 and there was comparably less reduction in activity on grain sorghum.