What substance prevents plants from surviving in a treated area for an extended period?

A soil sterilant is a substance specifically designed to eliminate not just weeds, but any form of plant life in a treated area for a significant duration. These chemicals work by disrupting the biological processes essential for plant survival, effectively rendering the soil inhospitable for future plant growth. This can prevent seeds from germinating and existing plants from thriving, creating a long-term impact on the soil's ability to support vegetation.

In contrast, herbicides are typically aimed at controlling specific unwanted plants while allowing desirable plants to remain unharmed; they do not have the broad-spectrum effect of soil sterilants. Fungicides target fungi and are used to prevent or treat fungal infections in plants, having no direct effect on other plants unless they specifically target those species. Insecticides focus on controlling insect populations and do not influence plant survival, making them irrelevant in the context of preventing plant life in treated areas.