Glyphosate is best described as which type of herbicide?

Glyphosate is best described as which type of herbicide?

• A. Non-selective systemic herbicide
• B. Selective post-emergence herbicide
• C. Contact herbicide
• D. Pre-emergent herbicide

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how herbicides are classified by selectivity and by how they move inside the plant. Glyphosate is best described as a non-selective systemic herbicide. It is non-selective because it kills a wide range of plant species—most grasses and broadleaf weeds—rather than sparing certain crops or plant types. It is systemic because once taken up by the foliage, the chemical is translocated through the plant's vascular system to growth points and roots, so the entire plant is killed rather than just the parts touched. This combination explains why it can control many weeds, including perennials that can regrow from underground parts. It is typically used after weeds have emerged (post-emergence) rather than as a pre-emergent, and it is not a true contact herbicide, which would only affect tissue it touches.

The main idea is how herbicides are classified by selectivity and by how they move inside the plant. Glyphosate is best described as a non-selective systemic herbicide. It is non-selective because it kills a wide range of plant species—most grasses and broadleaf weeds—rather than sparing certain crops or plant types. It is systemic because once taken up by the foliage, the chemical is translocated through the plant's vascular system to growth points and roots, so the entire plant is killed rather than just the parts touched. This combination explains why it can control many weeds, including perennials that can regrow from underground parts. It is typically used after weeds have emerged (post-emergence) rather than as a pre-emergent, and it is not a true contact herbicide, which would only affect tissue it touches.