What is an herbicide used for?

An herbicide is specifically designed to control or kill unwanted plants, commonly referred to as weeds. These chemicals target specific biochemical processes in plants that are essential for growth and development, leading to the death of the plants. Herbicides are crucial in agricultural practices as they help manage weed populations, thereby reducing competition for resources such as water, nutrients, and sunlight that crops need to thrive.

The other options describe functions that are not associated with herbicides. Promoting plant growth typically involves fertilizers or growth enhancers, and enhancing soil quality relates to soil amendments and organic matter rather than herbicides. Fertilizing crops is aimed at providing nutrients to plants to help them grow, which is distinctly separate from the function of an herbicide. Understanding the role of herbicides in agriculture is vital for managing crops effectively and ensuring food production efficiency.