What is the primary characteristic of a nonselective herbicide?

The primary characteristic of a nonselective herbicide is that it kills all plants it comes in contact with. Nonselective herbicides are designed to target broad-spectrum vegetation, affecting both desirable and undesirable plants indiscriminately. This type of herbicide works by disrupting vital processes within the plants, leading to their death regardless of the plant species.

In contrast, selective herbicides are formulated to target specific types of plants, thereby sparing other plants in the vicinity. The effectiveness of nonselective herbicides can be beneficial in scenarios such as clearing areas of all unwanted vegetation or preparing sites for new planting. However, one must exercise caution when using them to avoid unintended damage to desired plants in the surrounding area.

Unlike the other possibilities, nonselective herbicides do not discriminate based on plant age or require specific soil incorporation methods, making their use straightforward in terms of application on visible vegetation.