What is a translocated herbicide?

• A. A herbicide that is absorbed and moved through the vascular system to all plant parts.
• B. A herbicide that damages or kills only portions of the plants it contacts.
• C. A herbicide that kills all plants it contacts.
• D. A herbicide applied to leaves of growing plants.

Answer: (A)

Translocated herbicides are systemic; after absorption, they move through the plant’s vascular system and reach every part of the plant, including roots and growing points. This internal movement is what lets the chemical kill the entire plant, not just the tissue it touched at application. That’s why describing it as absorbed and moved through the vascular system to all plant parts is the best choice. The other descriptions refer to different ideas: a herbicide that damages only portions of the plant it contacts is a contact herbicide that acts where it touches and doesn’t rely on internal movement; a herbicide that kills all plants it contacts sounds like a broad-spectrum result but doesn’t specify internal movement; and a herbicide applied to leaves speaks to the method of application, not whether the chemical moves inside the plant.