What type of herbicide is absorbed through the foliage and moves throughout the plant to the roots?

A systemic herbicide is specifically designed to be absorbed through the foliage of plants and translocated throughout the entire plant, including the roots. This mode of action allows the herbicide to effectively target and eliminate not just the visible parts of the plant but also those that are underground. When a systemic herbicide is applied to the leaves, it moves through the plant's vascular system, disrupting vital functions necessary for plant survival.

In contrast, residual herbicides focus on creating a barrier in the soil that affects germinating seeds or emerging weeds but do not typically translocate through the plant itself. Selective herbicides target specific types of plants, allowing desirable crops to thrive while eliminating unwanted species; however, their uptake and action may not be systemic. Nonselective herbicides kill all plants they come into contact with, but like residual herbicides, they may not have the systemic properties that facilitate movement throughout the plant. Thus, systemic herbicides are crucial for comprehensive weed control, as they ensure that the entire plant is affected, leading to a higher chance of eradication.