The “Lettuce Insect, Disease and Weed Losses Survey” has been conducted for the last 15 years by John Palumbo. The survey is useful and interesting annually but after 15 years it becomes an even more valuable tool to see changes and trends. Arizona does not require complete reporting for private applicators and this kind of information is difficult to acquire. There has always been good participation in the surveys and while the results may not be precise and statistically verifiable, they accurately represent what goes on in the field. Results of the weed section for the 2018-2019 season appear in the chart below. 47,120 acres of all types of lettuce were included in that survey. Some highlights of last season were at 89% of the acres were treated with Pronamide (Kerb), 52% with Bensulide (Prefar) and 20% with Benefin (Balan). For the first time automated thinning was included and this was performed on 40% of the reported acres.

To contact Barry Tickes go to: btickes@ag.arizona.edu.

For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.