A pot bioassay, based on root growth of pregerminated corn, was used to evaluate factors influencing field persistence of chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, triasulfuron, and tribenuron, which were applied preemergence at 0, 10, 20, and 40 g ai ha−1 to wheat grown in three soils that differed in texture (sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and silty clay loam) and pH (7.9, 4.7, and 7.6). Residual activity and leaching of all herbicides in all soils increased with increasing rate of application, with the exception of tribenuron which showed practically no residual activity and leaching in sandy clay loam soil. Sunflower sown 4 mo after tribenuron application in all soils was not injured by any rate used but was significantly affected by the other herbicides. Lentil and sugarbeet also were affected by all herbicides in all soils. These three crops sown 8 mo after herbicide application were not affected by any herbicide used in the sandy clay loam soil but were injured by chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, and metsulfuron in the sandy loam soil. Only lentil and sugarbeet were injured by chlorsulfuron in the silty clay loam soil.