What type of herbicide is Metam sodium classified as?

Metam sodium is classified as a non-selective contact herbicide. This means that it does not differentiate between different types of plants; it affects all vegetation it comes into contact with. Non-selective herbicides work by disrupting cellular processes in plants, leading to tissue damage or death upon contact. This characteristic makes Metam sodium effective for broad applications, particularly in managing weeds and other unwanted plants in various settings.

In contrast, selective herbicides are designed to target specific plants while leaving others unharmed, which does not apply to Metam sodium. Systemic herbicides travel through the plant's vascular system to eliminate it from the inside, whereas Metam sodium primarily acts on contact. Lastly, while some herbicides can be formulated as granules, Metam sodium is typically liquid and is used in a way that emphasizes its non-selective contact nature.