Which herbicide type would generally promote quick decay of treated plant material?

A nonselective herbicide is designed to kill a wide range of plants rather than targeting specific species. This type of herbicide typically works quickly to eliminate unwanted vegetation, and as the plant material dies, it begins to decay rapidly. Nonselective herbicides impact the entire plant, including the roots, stems, and leaves, which can accelerate the decomposition process after death.

In contrast, selective herbicides are formulated to target specific types of plants while leaving others unharmed. Therefore, when applied to non-target plants, those plants may not decompose quickly since they are not intended to be affected by the herbicide.

Systemic herbicides are absorbed by the plant and move through its tissues. While these can effectively kill plants and lead to decay, the process may take longer as they require time to be translocated throughout the plant, affecting decay rates.

Long-lasting herbicides are designed to persist in the environment to provide extended weed control. Their formulation inherently leads to delayed degradation, meaning they do not promote quick decay of the treated plant material.

Consequently, nonselective herbicides have the primary function of quickly eradicating plant life, thus leading to a faster decay process.