What type of herbicides are EPSP inhibitors associated with?

EPSP inhibitors, which target the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase enzyme, are primarily classified as non-selective herbicides. Non-selective herbicides are those that can kill a wide range of plants, including both broadleaf and grassy weeds, because their mechanism of action affects all plant species that utilize the shikimic acid pathway, which is present only in plants and some microorganisms.

These herbicides are widely used in agricultural practices due to their efficacy in controlling unwanted vegetation. Because EPSP inhibitors disrupt vital biochemical processes in plants, their effects are not limited to specific weed types, as seen with selective herbicides that target certain plant families while leaving others unharmed.

In contrast, selective herbicides would target specific plants or groups of plants, and organic herbicides typically utilize natural substances that may not function through the EPSP pathway. Systemic herbicides are absorbed by the plants and translocated throughout their tissues but may include selective or non-selective types, making it crucial to specify that EPSP inhibitors are associated specifically with non-selective action.