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Lettuce
> Year-Round IPM Program > Preplant > Survey
for Weeds
 Lettuce
Survey
for Weeds—Preplant
Start surveying your fields for weeds before harvesting the
preceding crop. Determine the dominant weed species present,
and maintain records of weed species and the severity of their
infestations. Also, check weed infestations in adjacent fields.
Depending on when you monitor, you may see winter
annual seedlings,
summer annual seedlings, or perennial
weeds. Weed surveys can help
you select herbicides, rotational crops, and cultural practices.
How to survey your field
- Walk through each field in a random pattern.
- Rate the degree of infestation for each weed species on your
weed survey form. Use either a numeric scale from 1 to 5 (1
being the lightest, 5 being the heaviest), or rate as "light," "medium," or "heavy."
- Check fencerows, ditch banks, field edges, and wet spots
as these may be problem areas for weed growth and potential
sources for wind disseminated seed. Note the dominant species
on the monitoring form.
- Pay particular attention to perennial weeds.
- Sketch a map of the field and mark areas with major weed
infestations for follow-up control action, noting carefully
the location of weeds producing seed.
- Indicate the growth stage of the weed (seedling or mature).
- Record
results on a weed survey form.
Survey information collected over a period of years tells you
how weed populations may change and how effective your management
operations have been over the long term. By knowing which species
are present, you will be able to make appropriate decisions on
cultural and chemical controls.
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