Which of the following is a characteristic of Pendimethalin?

Pendimethalin is known primarily as a pre-emergent herbicide that effectively inhibits root development in target plants. This characteristic means that it affects the growth and establishment of roots, preventing weed seeds from germinating effectively by limiting their ability to anchor and grow in the soil. By impairing the development of roots, Pendimethalin reduces competition from weeds, making it particularly useful for maintaining the health of desirable plants.

In contrast to other characteristics that were presented, such as translocation through xylem and phloem, Pendimethalin typically acts locally in the soil and does not move extensively within the plant. Though some herbicides are nonpersistent, meaning they break down quickly and have a short residual effect, Pendimethalin is considered to have moderate persistence, allowing it to provide ongoing control against weeds for a certain period after application. Lastly, Pendimethalin is selective, targeting specific types of plants (typically annual grasses and some broadleaf weeds) rather than being nonselective, which would imply it harms all plants indiscriminately.

This understanding of Pendimethalin's function and its specific role in weed management highlights why the characteristic of being a root development inhibitor is the most accurate description among the choices given.