The in¯uence of adjuvants on spray liquid behaviour and herbicide performance is reviewed. Total formulation ecacy can be expressed as a function of [deposition:retention:uptake: translocation:a.i. toxicity]. Adjuvants in¯uence the physico-chemical and plant interactions involved for each factor. Deposition eciency of spray droplets on to a target is dependent largely on the droplet spectrum, whereas retention performance is dependent on plant leaf surface character, orientation and canopy architecture, as well as droplet volume, velocity and dynamic surface tension eects. Uptake into plant foliage is aected by the leaf surface wax, cuticle age and composition and species variability. Uptake can be improved through appropriate formulation to provide either stomatal in®ltration or much greater and faster cuticular absorption of the active ingredient. The inherent translocation capability of the a.i. is not aected directly by adjuvants, which are relatively immobile, but they can increase the mass of absorbed a.i. translocated, as a consequence of improved uptake or may reduce it as a result of localized contact phytotoxicity. Considerable progress has been made in developing models of spray droplet deposition, adhesion and retention, as well as uptake. In future, individual models may be combined to provide an integrated formulation ecacy decision support system.