The major inhibitory components obtained after fractionation of an aqueous extract of field-grown sorghum (Sorghumbicolorcv. Bird-a-boo) herbage were quantified in terms of biological potency by indexing three aspects of cumulative cress (Lepidium sativum cv. Curlycress) seed germination. The inhibitory potential expressed in the crude aqueous extract reflected a complex interaction of numerous individual components of diverse chemical compositions and potencies. Some of these inhibitory components included chemical classes not previously associated with herbage phytotoxicity.