1 / 15

Field Assessment Preparation: Questions, Observations, and Tools

Learn how to prepare for a successful field assessment by asking questions, making observations, and using useful tools like notepads and hand lenses. Consider different survey approaches to gather representative samples of pests or damage.

briner
Download Presentation

Field Assessment Preparation: Questions, Observations, and Tools

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Module 1 Field History Preparing for field assessment Determine your survey approach Extension agent Wayne Cooley, ARS agronomist Randy Anderson, and farmer Gilbert Lindstrom Photo by Scott Bauer

  2. Field History • Ask questions! • Get records, if possible • Make general observations • Learn to detect what might be causing the problem

  3. Field History • Previous crop • Chemical history • Planting date • Variety and seed lot • Tillage methods • Soil amendments • Weather • Movement of soil into field

  4. Preparation for Field Assessment • Successful diagnosis starts with good preparation • Keep some useful tools around, and think about the history (as you know it) and nature of the concern

  5. Preparation for Field Assessment • Notepad, record-keeping form or hand-held computers • Proper clothing, for safety • Always observe appropriate re-entry intervals (REI)

  6. Preparation for Field Assessment • Hand lenses magnify tiny features that may be useful • Common magnifications • 4X • 10X • 16X • 20X

  7. Aphid Magnification English grain aphid

  8. Rust magnification example Barley rust photo: Vernyl Pederson

  9. Preparation for Field Assessment Other useful tools • Trowel • Knife • Plastic baggies • Vial – with alcohol for insects • Camera – digital/35 mm • Bucket • Sweep net

  10. Determine Survey Approach • Surveying (or scouting) requires consideration of approach or pattern of travel • Specific concerns may dictate a certain type of scouting method • Regardless of method – the goal is to get a representative sample

  11. Determine Survey Approach • Scouting routes may be modified by: • topography • soil types • irrigation channeling • field entrances • Regardless of the approach, the goal is to get a representative idea of the problems

  12. Determine Survey Approach • Scouting in a W or Z pattern for pests or problems distributed uniformly over the field Examples: Foliar diseases later in season; European corn borer; Pesticide damage

  13. Determine Survey Approach • Scouting or sampling in areas where pests or damage may be concentrated Examples: root rots associated with low areas or in patches; cutworms in low, cool areas; white grubs

  14. Determine Survey Approach Pests or damage associated with field borders or waterways Examples: grasshoppers, chinch bug

  15. Determine Survey Approach Number of sites to visit in the field Sampling or surveying usually is done at 5 sites per 40 to 50 acres

More Related