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Grape >
Year-Round IPM Program >
Rapid Shoot Growth > Weed Survey
Grape
Survey Weeds—Early Season
For wine and raisin grapes, survey vineyards in late spring or early summer.
For table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley, survey in March; in the Coachella
Valley, survey in January or February. Surveying can help determine the
spectrum of weeds present. These surveys help in making decisions about
herbicide choice 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 after summer
annuals have germinated.
- 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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