Which of the following is a common mode of action used in herbicides?

Inhibition of photosynthesis is a common mode of action used in herbicides because many herbicides target specific processes in plants to impede their growth and ability to survive. By disrupting the photosynthetic process, herbicides can prevent plants from converting sunlight into energy, which is essential for growth. This mode of action effectively starves the plant by limiting its ability to produce the food it needs to thrive.

The other options, while related to plant growth and development, do not pertain to herbicide modes of action. Promoting root development and enhancing nutrient uptake are beneficial for plant health, and those processes would not be features of herbicides, which are designed to control or eliminate plants rather than support them. Similarly, accelerating leaf growth does not directly contribute to weed control strategies and would not be aligned with the objectives of herbicide functionality.