What does "selective herbicide" mean?

A selective herbicide is designed to target specific types of plants while leaving other plant species unharmed. This characteristic allows it to be used effectively in agricultural practices or landscaping where maintaining a certain type of vegetation, such as crops or desirable ornamental plants, is crucial.

Selective herbicides work by targeting specific physiological processes or biochemicals found predominantly in the plants they are intended to control, which may not be present or are used differently in the plants that are not affected. This contributes to their utility in managing unwanted weeds without damaging the surrounding beneficial plants.

In contrast, options that suggest a universal effect on all plants or those that imply limitations based on quantity or availability do not accurately represent the concept of selectivity in herbicides. The focus of selective herbicides is specifically on their ability to discriminate between plant types, enabling targeted weed control in diverse ecosystems or agricultural fields.