Which type of herbicide is designed to specifically kill certain types of weeds while leaving others unharmed?

Selective herbicides are designed to target specific types of weeds without harming desirable plants. This is achieved through the unique chemical formulation of selective herbicides, which interacts with specific physiological processes that are present in certain weed species but not in the plants that the user wishes to keep. For instance, many selective herbicides are effective against broadleaf weeds while leaving grasses unharmed or similarly focused on targeting particular perennial weeds while being non-injurious to ornamental plants or crops.

This selectivity is especially beneficial in garden beds, lawns, and agricultural settings where maintaining the health of desired plant species while managing weed populations is crucial. By contrast, non-selective herbicides kill all plant material they come into contact with, making them unsuitable for targeting specific weeds selectively. Similarly, pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seed germination and do not target established plants, while systemic herbicides refer to how the herbicide is absorbed and distributed within the plant, which does not inherently imply selectivity.