The label for a herbicide that kills broadleaf weeds but does not harm turfgrass would read as which type?

• A. Selective
• B. Systemic
• C. Post-emergent
• D. Soluble

Answer: (A)

This is about selectivity in herbicides. A product that kills broadleaf weeds but does not harm turfgrass is designed to target certain plant groups while sparing others, so its label describes it as selective. This means the chemical exploits differences between broadleaf plants (dicots) and grasses to control weeds without damaging the desirable turf. The other terms describe different ideas: systemic means the herbicide moves within the plant, not about which plants it can kill; post-emergent refers to applying after weeds have emerged, not to selectivity; and soluble describes how the formulation dissolves in water, again not about which plants are affected. A common example is a selective broadleaf herbicide like 2,4-D used on lawns to control broadleaf weeds while leaving the turfgrass intact.