Which term describes a pesticide that will kill specific types of plants?

The term that accurately describes a pesticide designed to kill specific types of plants is selective. Selective herbicides target particular species of plants while leaving others unharmed, making them especially useful in agricultural practices where certain crops need to be preserved while eliminating unwanted weeds. This specificity allows for effective weed management without damaging the desired plants in proximity.

In contrast, non-selective herbicides would kill or damage any plant they contact, which is not suitable when you want to protect certain plant species. Systemic pesticides are absorbed into the plant and affect its overall health, but this term does not specifically refer to selectivity regarding plant types. Contact pesticides act upon direct contact with plants but do not imply specificity regarding which plants are affected. Hence, the term selective is the correct choice for describing a pesticide that targets specific plants.