What type of herbicide is Glyphosate categorized as?

Glyphosate is categorized as a systemic herbicide because it is absorbed by the plant and then translocated throughout its tissues. This characteristic allows it to affect the entire plant, including both the leaves and the roots. Once absorbed, Glyphosate interferes with essential physiological processes, such as protein synthesis, which ultimately leads to the plant's death.

Systemic herbicides are particularly effective against perennial weeds because they can reach the root systems, effectively controlling plants that might otherwise regenerate. Understanding this property is crucial for effective aquatic pest management, as it allows for targeted application strategies that can minimize harm to desirable plants and aquatic ecosystems.

In contrast, contact herbicides only affect the parts of the plant that they touch, which does not provide the same level of control for systemic plants. Selective herbicides typically target specific types of plants without harming others, and residual herbicides remain active in the environment for a certain period, affecting subsequent plant growth. Thus, Glyphosate's classification as a systemic herbicide is central to its mechanism of action and effectiveness in aquatic pest management.