Part 2, Section 1: Pest Management
Pest Management
Weed Management
Early-season weed scouting
The first key to weed management is proper weed identification. The best method for timely identification is through field scouting. The first reports on weed conditions in a field are needed within two weeks after crop emergence to evaluate herbicide performance and to determine if there is a need for rotary hoeing, cultivation, or postemergence herbicides. Earlier scouting will be needed in no-till fields where a knockdown or early preplant herbicide may be applied.
Identify and record all weed species found. Determine the severity of the infestation by counting the number of weeds found per 10 feet of row for large infestations or per 100 feet of row for smaller infestations in all areas sampled. Sample areas should represent no more than five acres, so sample enough areas to get an accurate count of the different weeds present in the field or on the farm. The approximate height and growth stage of both weeds and crop should be recorded.
Along with weed reports, early soil moisture observations are important. They serve as indicators of herbicide effectiveness. Adequate moisture is necessary for effective weed control with all soil-applied herbicides. Too little rainfall can mean there is not enough moisture to allow adequate mobilization of the herbicide; too much rain can cause more soluble herbicides to move downward below the zone where they are most effective.
Postemergence herbicides usually are most effective when weeds are young and actively growing. The degree of control with these herbicides will vary due to differences in weed species, growth stages, weather conditions, and herbicide application method. To select the best possible herbicide and apply it at the optimum time to maximize control, the manager needs to be able to identify weed seedlings when they are small.