Mapping and geostatistical analysis of weed distribution in sugarbeet fields for site-specific weed management

Field experiments were conducted to study the distribution of weeds in 18 sugarbeet fields of 3 ha each. The distance between each sampling point was 7.5-20 m. Weed density was counted and maps were plotted for the distribution of Chenopodium album and Solanum nigrum using linear interpolation. Geostatistical methods were applied to analyse the variance of weed density between the sampling points. A clear detection of weed patches was possible when the variance of weed density at a single sampling point 'nugget effect' was low and a high continuity between neighbouring grid points existed. If soil conditions or cultivation methods are nor homogeneous in the field (drift), no continuity between the sampling points was found. Geostatistical analysis of the weed distribution in agricultural fields provide helpful information for a site-specific weed management.