What type of herbicides are used to control all or most vegetation?

Non-selective herbicides are designed to control all or most vegetation they come into contact with, making them highly effective for clearing areas of unwanted plants. These herbicides act by absorbing into the foliage and then translocating throughout the plant, leading to its death.

They are commonly used in situations where complete vegetation removal is desired, such as in the preparation of a new planting area, along roadsides, or in industrial sites. The broad-spectrum nature of non-selective herbicides allows for extensive control; however, this also makes their use risky in proximity to desirable plants, as they do not discriminate between target and non-target species.

In contrast, selective herbicides are formulated to target specific types of plants while leaving others unharmed, making them suitable for applications like managing weeds in lawns or crops without affecting the desired flora. Residual herbicides work by leaving a lasting active ingredient in the soil that continues to control vegetation over time. Systemic herbicides, while they can be non-selective, refer to how the herbicide functions within the plant rather than its capability to affect a broad range of plants. These distinctions highlight why non-selective herbicides are the main choice for controlling all or most types of vegetation.