Chlorthal is the common name given to this arylaliphatic acid by the International Standards Organization, but the herbicide was renamed DCPA by the Weed Society of America. The mechanism of action of arylaliphatic acid pesticides is antagonism of auxin growth hormones. They induce cell elongation and tissue proliferation, produce adventitious roots, modify the arrangement of leaves and other organs and in some instances cause fruit to develop in the absence of fertilization. DCPA is used as a pre-emergence herbicide recommended for the control of annual weeds in many different crops. It is slowly hydrolyzed in soils with a half-life of about 100 days in most soils.