The herbicide norflurazon (Predict) causes the new foliage to turn white because it inhibits the production of carotenoids, which leads to the destruction of the green chlorophyll in plants. Plants die because there is no production of plant food in the leaves. Norflurazon is applied preemergent and has limited soil mobility. It is considered a nonselective herbicide but does not leach deep enough in the soil to damage deeper-rooted established plants.

The herbicides diquat (Reward) and glufosinate (Finale) disrupt cell membranes. They are nonselective, contact herbicides. Diquat injury may be visible a few hours after application. Chlorosis (yellowing resulting from the loss of green pigment) occurs within 2-5 days for glufosinate. Good coverage is required. Plants can recover from incomplete spray coverage.

Herbicides that prevent seedling root development [oryzalin (Surflan), pendimethalin (Pendulum), prodiamine (Endurance)] stop the growth of roots and shoots of germinating seeds or small seedlings by disrupting cell division. Because they translocate to only a limited degree in plants, they seldom control established weeds. They are highly selective for grass control and usually do not leach in soils. Effective control depends on sufficient rainfall soon after application or soil incorporation.

Fosamine (Krenite) inhibits bud development when applied to woody plants late in the growing season, but before leaves start changing colors. Except for pines, there is little or no visible effect (brownout) until the following spring, when susceptible woody plants do not resume growth. Since fosamine moves only from the leaves to the buds, uniform coverage of the plant is necessary. Fosamine has no soil activity and does not injure grasses at normal use rates.

A common characteristic of grass specific herbicides [fenoxaprop-ethyl (Horizon), fluazifop-p-butyl (Fusilade), sethoxydim (Poast)] is that their activity is limited almost entirely to postemergent control of annual and perennial grasses. Nearly all non-grass species are resistant. These herbicides are absorbed by the leaves and have little soil activity. They are most effective when applied to unstressed, rapidly growing grasses. Death of susceptible species takes a week or more. Crop oil concentrates, nonionic surfactants, and nitrogen solutions increase their effectiveness. Antagonism has been observed when these products are tank mixed with auxin/growth regulator herbicides, such as 2,4-D. Many grass weed species have been reported to develop resistance to this group of herbicides.