A Technique for Estimating Weed Seed Populations in Cultivated Soil

Abstract

A technique is described for removing seed from soil samples. The soil was poured as a water slurry over 0.841 mm and 0.58 mm sieves. The retained seeds were placed in a laboratory seed blower which was adjusted to remove light debris and seed coats without embryos. The remaining seeds were separated, identified, and counted. The technique was used with a 2-yr study which monitored soil weed seed populations in three vegetable cropping systems.