Herbicidal warfare
Herbicidal warfare
Herbicidal warfare (/hɜːrbɪˈsaɪdəl wɔːrfeɪr/) is a method of war that uses herbicides as a destructive force. It is a form of chemical warfare that specifically targets plant life in order to disrupt an enemy's food supply or to destroy foliage that provides cover.
Etymology
The term "herbicidal warfare" is derived from the words "herbicide" and "warfare". "Herbicide" comes from the Latin herba (meaning "grass" or "plant") and -cide (meaning "killer"), while "warfare" originates from the Old English wyrre and fære, which mean "confusion" and "journey" respectively.
History
Herbicidal warfare has been used in various conflicts throughout history. The most notable example is the use of Agent Orange by the United States during the Vietnam War. This herbicide was used to defoliate forests and disrupt the food supply of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops.
Related Terms
- Chemical warfare: The use of toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy.
- Biological warfare: The use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants.
- Agent Orange: A herbicide and defoliant chemical, one of the "tactical use" Rainbow Herbicides, used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971.
- Defoliant: A chemical that removes the leaves from trees and plants, often used in herbicidal warfare to remove cover for enemy forces.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Herbicidal warfare
- Wikipedia's article - Herbicidal warfare
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