What types of plants are particularly sensitive to herbicide drift?

Sensitive broadleaf plants are particularly vulnerable to herbicide drift due to their physiological makeup. Many herbicides are designed to target specific plant systems, often affecting broadleaf plants more severely than grasses. These herbicides can disrupt growth hormones or other metabolic processes that are particularly abundant or more active in broadleaf species.

Examples of sensitive broadleaf plants include many vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals that can exhibit significant damage from even low levels of herbicide exposure, resulting in symptoms such as leaf cupping, stunted growth, or death. Because of these effects, it’s crucial for applicators to be aware of the surrounding environment when applying herbicides, ensuring that sensitive broadleaf plants are adequately protected from potential drift.

Other types of plants may also be affected by herbicide drift, but they may have varying levels of resistance or tolerance. For instance, annual weeds might demonstrate quicker regrowth or adaptability, perennial grasses often have a more robust root system that helps them recover, and conifers might have some specific herbicide tolerances. However, sensitive broadleaf plants are generally recognized as the most at-risk category when it comes to potential drift damage from herbicides.