Used as a potent herbicide, particularly effective in controlling broadleaf weeds and suppressing certain grasses in cereal crops such as wheat and barley. It works by inhibiting the enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS), which is essential for branched-chain amino acid synthesis in plants, leading to arrested cell division and plant death. Commonly applied as a post-emergent treatment, it offers high efficacy at low application rates. Its selectivity allows for use in crop protection with minimal impact on the target cereal crops when applied as directed. The compound degrades relatively quickly in soil, reducing residual activity and making it suitable for rotation systems.