What describes how herbicides are absorbed by and moved within plants?

Translocation refers to the process through which herbicides are absorbed by plant tissues and then moved throughout the plant system. In the context of pest control, understanding translocation is crucial because it determines how effectively a herbicide can reach its target site, which can be either the leaves, stems, or roots of the plant.

When a herbicide is applied, it needs to be taken up by plant cells to be effective, and then it must be distributed to the areas where it can disrupt the plant's normal functions. This process of movement is what translocation encompasses, occurring via the plant's vascular system, primarily through xylem and phloem.

While absorption is also an essential part of how herbicides enter the plant, it does not cover the movement aspect. Degradation and metabolism relate to how the herbicide breaks down and affects the plant's biological systems, which is ultimately important but not directly tied to the movement of the chemical within the plant. Thus, translocation accurately describes the absorption and subsequent movement of herbicides through plant tissues.