This invention relates to certain sulfonylurea compounds having substituents ortho to the sulfonylurea linkage that includes a 3- or 4- membered carbocyclic ring, a saturated 5- or 6- membered carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring which contains 1 heteroatom selected from O, S and NR.sub.3, agriculturally suitable compositions thereof and a method of their use as herbicides or plant growth regulants.