Profenofos, tradename Curacron, can induce various plant responses, ranging from leaf spotting to total necrosis. In field experiments addition of cotton seed oil to profenofos tended to reduce spotting, while addition of Prime oil tended to aggravate it. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of these surfactants on uptake rates of profenofos in cotton leaves. No differences in uptake of treatment solutions occurred immediately after application; however, uptake was significantly different at 3, 6 and 9 hours after treatment; Profenofos with Prime oil showed the greatest uptake rate, while uptake rates for profenofos alone and with cotton seed oil were similar. Volatility was highest for profenofos alone and least for profenofos with Prime oil. No significant volatilization occurred after 3 hours after treatment. Decreased volatility could be a reason for higher uptake rate and hence the higher phytotoxic effect of profenofos with Prime oil that is observed in the field.