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Grape >
Year-Round IPM Program >
Dormant > Winter Weed Survey
Grape
Survey Weeds—Dormant Period
By surveying weeds in late fall or winter, you can identify any species
that escaped control from earlier management and know which perennials
are present. If herbicides were used, surveying identifies any need for
changing to another herbicide. Weed surveys help in selecting herbicides
or cultivation equipment and practices.
Grapevines are most sensitive to weed or cover crop competition during the first few years of growth. As grapevines
become established, competition from weeds is reduced because of the vine canopy shade. Weeds between the vine rows
can be mowed or cultivated.
When using herbicides, record
your weed observations (sample weed
survey form—), and
choose pre- and postemergent herbicides. Keep records to track weed populations
from year to year to better understand ongoing weed control problems, such
as resistance.
How to survey your fields:
- Survey your vineyard in late fall or winter, after winter annuals
germinate, to identify weed escapes and perennials.
- Pay particular attention to perennials. Check for regrowth
of perennials
a few weeks after cultivation.
- Pay particular attention to wet spots, as these may be problem areas for weed growth.
- Survey areas around the vineyard, as these areas could be a potential
source for wind-disseminated seeds, such as marestail and fleabane.
- Sketch a diagram of the orchard and mark areas where perennials are found.
- Rate infestation either using a numeric scale from 1 to 5 (1 being
the lightest), or use “light,” “medium,” or “heavy.”
- Keep records of your survey results. By knowing which species are present, you will be able to make appropriate
decisions about cultural and chemical controls.
Information collected over a period of years tells you how weed populations
may be changing and how effective your management operations have been.
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