The influence of several environmental and edaphic factors on alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide] selectivity in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was examined. Crop safety was consistently improved when alachlor was applied preplant incorporated as compared to surface preemergence treatment. Under field conditions, maximum injury occurred either when temperatures during germination were cool and rainfall was minimal, or when temperatures approached or exceeded 27 C and the soil was saturated. In the growth chamber, more damage occurred under low temperature regimes, although volatilization of alachlor from moist soil also produced injury under higher temperatures. Injury was less severe in soils high in organic matter content. Alachlor injury decreased after 5 cm of simulated rainfall were applied on a loamy sand.

Effects of seven herbicides and two herbicide formulations on the phytotoxicity of glyphosate {[N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine]} were studied in the greenhouse. All herbicide formulations tested reduced glyphosate toxicity; the degree of reduction among herbicides varied. Type of formulation did not alter the reducing effects of propazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] or propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide). Liquid formulations of cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl] amino]-2-methylpropionitrile} and linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea] caused less reduction than the wettable powder formulations, but the liquid formulation of atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] caused greater reduction than the wettable powder. Inert ingredients of the herbicide formulations were primarily responsible for reduced glyphosate toxicity.