Which of the following is considered a non-selective herbicide?

A non-selective herbicide is designed to kill all types of plant material it comes in contact with, rather than targeting specific weed species or plants. Roundup, which contains the active ingredient glyphosate, is the most well-known example of a non-selective herbicide. It works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway that is present in plants but not in animals, making it effective at eliminating a wide range of vegetation.

This capacity to kill all plants, including desirable crops, is why proper application is crucial to minimize damage to non-target plants. Understanding this characteristic helps in employing it effectively in land management, agriculture, and gardening, where controlling unwanted vegetation is necessary.

In contrast, chlorpyrifos is an insect pesticide that does not affect plants directly, while insecticidal soap is primarily used for controlling pests on plants, and thiamethoxam is a selective insecticide targeting specific insects rather than plants. This distinction clearly shows that only Roundup fits the definition of a non-selective herbicide.