What factor could lead to the expanded use of selective herbicides?

The expanded use of selective herbicides is primarily driven by the capability of these chemicals to target only specific plant types while leaving other desired plants unharmed. This selectivity is advantageous for managing weeds without disrupting the overall ecosystem or desired crop growth.

When herbicides are selective, they allow for effective weed control in agricultural settings, parks, and gardens, where maintaining the health of certain plants is crucial. This characteristic makes them an essential tool for farmers and land managers who aim to minimize competition from undesirable weeds while maximizing the growth and yield of their crop plants.

In contrast, options that suggest a broader or less specific application, such as reducing all weeds or applying to all areas regardless of desired growth, do not highlight the unique benefit provided by selective herbicides. These approaches could potentially harm desirable plant species or disrupt the ecological balance, which is not the goal of using selective herbicides.