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Survey Weeds: First Open Boll to Preharvest

Continue surveying your fields during the growing season for the presence of summer annual weeds. Note the effectiveness of previous weed management practices at this time.

Survey each field separately. Adjacent fields often have very different weed populations due to different cropping histories or soil types. Keep accurate survey records for use with future growing seasons. Since many herbicides are effective only on germinating weeds, it is useful to know which species are present before they grow. Conduct weed surveys regularly to find out which weeds are present and how their populations are changing.

How to survey your fields:

1. Walk through each field in a random pattern, rating the degree of infestation for each weed species on your weed survey form. Use either a numeric scale or rate as "light," "medium," or "heavy."
2. Check fencerows, ditch banks, and field edges, paying particular attention to perennial weeds. Note dominant species on survey form.
3. Sketch a map of the field and mark areas with major weed infestation.

Important links

• Photos of summer annual weeds you may see during boll-preharvest
• Weed survey form
• Integrated weed management from the weed pest management guidelines