HABITATS OCCUPIED BY SCENTLESS CHAMOMILE (MATRICARIA-PERFORATA MERAT)IN SASKATCHEWAN

Three agricultural regions in Saskatchewan, known to be affected by sc entless chamomile (Matricaria perforata Merat), were surveyed between 1984 and 1988 to measure abundance and identify habitats occupied by t he weed. A modified cover-abundance rating scale was used to rate the ground cover of the weed in various habitats. The habitats were groupe d into annual crops, field depressions, transition areas and slough ma rgins. Overall, the predicted probability of an area being free of sce ntless chamomile decreased in the following order of habitats: annual crops, transition areas, field depressions and slough margins. Three o f these habitats, annual crop, field depressions and slough margins, o ccur along a gradient of increasing soil moisture and decreasing farm use.