This compound, the ethyl ester of 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyric acid (MCPB), is a selective systemic herbicide primarily used in agriculture to control broadleaf weeds in crops such as cereals, grasses, and turf. It is applied post-emergence and is metabolized within plants to the active form MCPA, which acts as an auxin mimic, causing uncontrolled cell elongation and growth that leads to weed death. By effectively managing weeds, it indirectly enhances crop yield and quality. It is valuable for its selectivity, minimizing damage to desired plants, and is also used in some formulations for weed control in non-crop areas.