What type of herbicide is glyphosate classified as?

Glyphosate is classified as a systemic herbicide. This means that when it is applied to a plant, it is absorbed through the foliage and stems, where it is then translocated throughout the plant. This characteristic allows glyphosate to affect not just the part of the plant that comes in direct contact with the herbicide, but also the root system and other tissues.

Systemic herbicides are particularly effective in controlling perennial weeds, as they disrupt processes critical to the plant's growth and can lead to a thorough kill of the entire plant, including the roots. This is essential in integrated pest management, especially when dealing with tougher weeds, as it helps ensure thorough elimination rather than just temporary control.

In contrast, other classifications like contact herbicides only affect the parts of the plant that they directly contact, making them less effective against deep-rooted or well-established plants. Soil-active herbicides primarily work through the soil and are designed to prevent seed germination or growth from the soil level, while enzyme inhibitors specifically target pathways within the plant but don’t necessarily reflect the method of systemic action that glyphosate employs.