What are systemic pesticides?

Systemic pesticides are defined as those that are absorbed by plants and then distributed throughout their tissues, including stems, leaves, and roots. This absorption allows systemic pesticides to provide protective effects from within the plant, making them effective against pests that feed on various parts of the plant. As these chemicals circulate, they can control pests that may not only be present on the surface but could also be hidden in parts of the plant that are not directly treated.

This characteristic of systemics is advantageous because it ensures that even pests that do not come into direct contact with the applied pesticide can still be affected by it through consumption of plant tissues that contain the chemical. This mode of action enhances the efficacy of the pesticides, particularly for those that target sap-sucking insects or borers that may inflict damage internally.

The other options lack this specific characteristic. Pesticides that only impact the surface of plants would be classified as contact pesticides, while those used primarily for weeds would not encompass the full spectrum of systemic pesticide applications. Non-chemical methods of pest management do not relate to the definition of systemic pesticides and instead refer to alternative pest control strategies that do not involve chemical substances.