| Observation | Possible Implication |
|---|---|
| Crop rotation | The crop rotation can influence crop management (e.g., planting date, labor availability, inputs, residues, insects & pests, etc.) |
| Variety | The variety determines the expected crop duration (maturity), photo-period sensitivity, crop height, growth habit, disease and insect resistance, yield potential, drought tolerance and grain quality. |
| Date Planted | If a crop is planted early or late, it may be subject to additional rat, bird, insect, desease or environmental (e.g., water, temperature) stress. |
| Crop stage | Nutrient management depends on crop stage Certain pests are a problem at particular growth stages. |
| How was the crop planted? |
The quality of land preparation and the seed bed affect:
|
| Seed source | The source of seed (own, certified, etc) & treatment can greatly influence seed quality (depending on storage, etc.) and thus can greatly influence crop establishment, plant vigor, health and weed pressure. |
| Land preparation | Poor land preparation can lead to excess weeds, uneven water management and/or problems of crop establishment. If the field has large clods, you can get poor soil-seed contact and poor emergence. |
| Land leveling | High spots in a field tend to have greater water stress and more weed problems. Low spots may have water sitting problems of germination and waterlogging. |
| Missing plants | Missing plants may indicate various problems of crop establishment and/or pests such as soil insects, rats, and/or birds. |
| Lodging | Lodging may indicate excess N, high winds and/or diseases around the base of the plant. Some varieties are more prone to lodging. |
| Ground,cover | A low number of plants tells about crop establishment problems. Stunted plants or small leaf size suggests water or nutrient stress. |
| Differences in height or maturity | Differences in height or maturity may indicate mixed varieties, and/or areas of crop stress (e.g., nutrient or water stress). |
| Are pests (insects, weeds) apparent? | Visible evidence of pests (or their tracks or droppings) are often good indicators of the possible type of damage to expect. |
| Field moisture status | Evidence of dry or cracking soil and dried or curled leaves indicate water stress. |
| Is crop height uniform and crop healthy and vigorous? | Look for the extent and causes of variation. |
| Plant part affected | Helps identify the likely cause of the problem. |
| Pattern of symptom across the field | The pattern of the symptom gives indications of possible cause. See Typical problem patterns and probable cause. |
| Symptoms | Work through the Identify the problem key to determine the probable cause. Also check Typical problems and causes. |
| Inputs | Input amount and timing can indicate what may be the cause of the problems. |
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