What type of herbicides are designed to control specific types of plants while minimizing impact on others?

Selective herbicides are specifically formulated to control certain types of plants—typically weeds—while having minimal effects on desirable plants. This selective action is achieved through the use of specific active ingredients that target physiological pathways or growth processes unique to particular plant species. As a result, selective herbicides can effectively manage unwanted vegetation without harming established grass or ornamental plants, making them particularly useful in landscaped areas and turf management.

In contrast, non-selective herbicides kill all plant material they come into contact with, which can lead to undesired damage to surrounding plants. Systemic herbicides are absorbed by plants and move throughout their tissues, but this characteristic does not necessarily indicate selectivity; non-selective systemic herbicides can impact all plants as well. Broad-spectrum herbicides are designed to kill a wide variety of plants, further distinguishing them from selective herbicides that aim to minimize collateral damage. Therefore, the ability of selective herbicides to target specific unwanted plants while preserving desired flora makes them indispensable in turf and ornamental management.