Post-emergence application of carfentrazone-ethyl at rates as low as 2Γ2 g ha~1 caused greater leaf injury and growth reduction in ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea) and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) than in soybean (Glycine max). The herbicide was more rapidly metabolized in the crop than in the weed species, with 26Γ7, 54Γ3 and 60Γ6% of the parent compound remaining in soybean, ivyleaf morningglory and velvetleaf, respectively, 24 h after exposure. The free acid metabolite, carfentrazone, was present in all species and accounted for 21Γ2Γ27Γ4% of the total radioactivity. Unknown metabolites 0 and 0Γ22) were four to Γve times more abundant in soybean than in the (R f weed species. Carfentrazone-ethyl induced more leakage from leaf discs from the weeds than those from soybean and the degree of injury correlated with the amount of protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX) present in the treated tissues. Both carfentrazone-ethyl and carfentrazone were potent inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox). Therefore, the selectivity of this herbicide may, at least in part, be attributed to the lower accumulation of Proto IX in soybean than in the weeds, probably because of the ability of soybean to metabolize more carfentrazone into unknown metabolites than the weeds.