Salicylic acid derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## where A is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, an unsubstituted or substituted five-membered heteroaromatic structure having from two to four nitrogen atoms or having two nitrogen atoms and in addition a sulfur or oxygen atom, or unsubstituted or substituted naphthyl, n is 0, 1 or 2, X and Y are each nitrogen or a methine group and R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 have the meanings stated in the description, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and their use as herbicides and bioregulators.