SummaryThe influence of water stress on the absorption and translocation of14C‐labelled fenoxapropethyl and imazamthabenz‐methyl inAvena fatuaL. (wild oat) was studied. The phytoioxicity toA. fatuaof both herbicides with a droplet application was also examined under water stress conditions. The absorption of both fenoxaproethyl and imazamethabenz‐methyl was reduced by waler stress when the plants were harvested within 24 h after herbicide application. Up to 48 h after the application, the translocation out of the treated lamina of both herbicides, based on percentage of applied14C. was reduced under water stress conditions. When havested 96 h after herbicide application, however, water stress no longer significantly affeaed the absorption and translocation of either herbicide. When the herbicides were applied as individual droplets, water stress reduced the phytotoxicity of fenoxaprop‐ethyl but not that of imazamethabenz‐methyl. It is concluded that the changes in herbieide absorption and translocation may not be the major physiological processes associated with differential whole‐plant response oiA faiuato fenoxaprop‐ethyl and imazamefhabenz‐methyl und