Selected herbicides are discussed under the headings of chemistry and analysis, environmental effects, and agricultural and other applied uses. The groupings employed are based on chemical structure and recognize 13 major groups of herbicides: chlorinated phenoxyalkanoic acids, s-triazines, phenylureas, carbamates, thiocarbamates, amides, chlorinated aliphatic acids, chlorinated benzoic acids, phenols, substituted dinitroanilines, bipyridiniums, arsenicals, uracils, and miscellaneous. Synthesis, analysis, and properties are discussed for each of these groups, and consideration is given to specific analytical methods and to general, multiresidue methods such as gas-liquid chromatography. Environmental effects of herbicides are described in terms of sources and movements of herbicides; residues in soil, water, and air; bioaccumulation of residues; effects on nontarget plants; and the costs and benefits of herbicide use. The principal uses of herbicides are on croplands, grazing lands, forests, orchards, aquatic habitats, and industrial sites and other noncrop lands. Each of these topics is covered in detail, and herbicide use is compared with alternative methods with regard to efficacy and economics.

Includes bibliographies, index, and appendices.