What is the term for a chemical that is absorbed by the roots or foliage and then translocated to other parts of the plant?

The correct term for a chemical that is absorbed by the roots or foliage and then translocated to other parts of the plant is "systemic herbicide." Systemic herbicides work by entering the plant's vascular system after being absorbed, allowing the chemical to move throughout the plant tissue. This method of action is beneficial for targeting specific plants, especially perennial weeds, as it can kill the entire plant, including roots, thus preventing regrowth.

Understanding how systemic herbicides function is important in aquatic pest management because they can effectively manage invasive aquatic plants or undesirable vegetation that may impact water quality and fish habitats. By targeting not just the visible parts of a plant but also its root system, systemic herbicides provide a more thorough approach to controlling pests in aquatic environments.

Selective and non-selective herbicides refer to the specificity of the chemical's action against certain types of plants, rather than its method of action within the plant. Foliar herbicides, on the other hand, typically act primarily on the parts of the plant that are above ground and may not be translocated as thorough as systemic herbicides.