Survey, Collection, Preservation and Identification of Weeds

A weed survey provides valuable insights into the prevalence of various weed species, the interplay between weeds and crops, and the dynamic patterns of these associations in field conditions. A roving survey is implemented within a vast geographical region that includes either a single district or multiple districts. A weed survey with identical objectives to the roving survey can be conducted on a farm. Periodic evaluation of the weed control treatments is necessary to assess their impact on both the crop and weed populations. Visual estimation is a technique employed to quickly gather data when dealing with a substantial number of plots and plant species while facing resource constraints. The European Weed Research Council (EWRC) has developed a rating system to assess the efficacy of weed control. Weed assessments should be conducted during the initial stages of crop growth when weed competition is at its peak and weeds are in their early and manageable stages for counting. The collection and preservation of weed specimens are essential for future reference and study, as not all weed species are readily accessible at all times and locations. An herbarium is a collection of dried, pressed, and preserved plants, including weeds, organized according to an accepted classification system such as Bentham & Hooker or Hutchinson. In addition to this, accurate identification of weed plants is a fundamental requirement for the development of efficient management strategies.