Abstract Growth analysis, absorption and translocation studies were conducted to compare a 1‐aminomethanamide dihydrogen tetraoxosulfate (GLY‐A) formulation of glyphosate with two isopropylamine (GLY‐IPA‐1, GLY‐IPA‐2) formulations of glyphosate on velvetleaf. The two isopropylamine formulations differed by the presence of a surfactant in the formulation, GLY‐IPA‐1 containing surfactant whereas GLY‐IPA‐2 did not. Four‐ to six‐leaf velvetleaf was treated with GLY‐A and GLY‐IPA‐1 and GLY‐IPA‐2 (0, 50, 67, 89, 119, 158, 280, 420, 560 and 840 g AE ha −1 ) with and without ammonium sulfate (AMS; 20 g L −1 ). GLY‐A and GLY‐IPA‐2 included a non‐ionic surfactant (2.5 mL L −1 ) in the spray solution at all herbicide concentrations. No additional surfactant was added to GLY‐IPA‐1. The IC 50 value for GLY‐A was 88 g AE ha −1 compared with 346 and 376 g AE ha −1 for GLY‐IPA‐1 and GLY‐IPA‐2 respectively in the absence of AMS. When AMS (20 g L −1 ) was added to the spray solution, the estimated IC 50 values were 143, 76 and 60 g AE ha −1 for GLY‐IPA‐1, GLY‐IPA‐2 and GLY‐A respectively. Absorption of 14 C‐glyphosate into the third leaf of five‐ to six‐leaf velvetleaf was three‐ to sixfold greater 72 h after treatment (HAT) when applied as GLY‐A compared with GLY‐IPA‐1 and GLY‐IPA‐2 respectively in the absence of AMS. AMS (20 g L −1 ) increased absorption of 14 C‐glyphosate in all glyphosate formulations two‐ to threefold, but differences among the formulations remained. Approximately three‐ and sixfold more 14 C‐glyphosate applied as GLY‐A had translocated out of the treated leaf compared with GLY‐IPA‐1 and GLY‐IPA‐2 respectively by 72 HAT. Adding AMS (20 g L −1 ) increased translocation of 14 C‐glyphosate out of the treated leaf approximately 2.5‐fold for all three formulations. The increased efficacy of GLY‐A versus GLY‐IPA‐1 and GLY‐IPA‐2 on velvetleaf is due to the greater rate of absorption and subsequent translocation of glyphosate out of the treated leaf. AMS increased the efficacy of all three formulations by increasing absorption and translocation of glyphosate in the plant. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry