What is a systematic herbicide?

A systematic herbicide is defined as a type of herbicide that is absorbed by the plant and then translocates through its vascular system, impacting various parts of the plant including leaves, stems, and roots. This method of action allows the herbicide to effectively control or eliminate the target plant species by reaching areas that would otherwise be untouched if only surface application methods were used.

This is in contrast to a herbicide that is sprayed on leaves only, which would not be able to penetrate into the plant's system and therefore would have limited efficacy, particularly on perennial plants with strong root systems. Additionally, herbicides that affect only soil organisms do not target the plants themselves; this category would typically include pesticides rather than herbicides. Lastly, using a herbicide exclusively for aquatic plants does not encompass the general definition of a systematic herbicide, as systematic herbicides can be applied in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, and are not limited to just one habitat.