Summary:The hydrolysis of the iso‐propyl, n‐butyl‐and iso‐octyl esters of 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5‐T), the n‐bytyl ester of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxybutyric acid (2,4‐DB) and the iso‐octyl ester of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4‐DP) was studied in four prairie soils of differing textures and pH at 25±1°C. The esters were analysed using gas chromatography.After 24 h in soils at wilting point moisture, and above, less than 20% of the applied iso‐propyl and n‐butyl esters could be recovered from one soil type and none from the remaining three. Loss of the iso‐cotyl esters was slower; however, no trace of the 2,4,5‐T and 2,4‐DP esters was observed in any of the moist soils after 48 and 72 h respectively. In all cases loss of all esters from air‐dried soils minimal.The phenoxyalkanoic acid hydrolysis products were recovered from all soil types, treated with the various esters and ident