Intensive surveys were conducted in 2 fields in eastern Nebraska to de
termine the spatial stability of common sunflower, velvetleaf, green a
nd yellow foxtail, and hemp dogbane over 4 yr (1992 to 1995). The 1st
field was planted to soybean in 1992 and corn in 1993, 1994, and 1995.
The 2nd field was planted to corn in 1992 and 1994 and soybean in 199
3 and 1995. Weed density was sampled prior to post-emergence herbicide
application at approximately 800 locations per year in each field on
a regular 7 m grid. The same locations were sampled every year. Weed d
ensity at locations between the sample sires was determined by linear
triangulation interpolation. Weed seedling distribution was significan
tly aggregated, with large weed-free areas in both fields. Common sunf
lower, velvetleaf, and hemp dogbane patches were very persistent in di
ameter in the east-west and north-south directions and in location and
area over 4 yr in the Ist field. Foxtail distribution and density con
tinuously increased in each of the 4 yr in the first field and decreas
ed in the 2nd field. A geographic information system was used to overl
ay maps from each year for a species. This showed that 36% of the samp
led area was continuously free of common sunflower, 62.5% was free of
hemp dogbane, and 11.5% was free of velvetleaf in the Ist field, but o
nly 1% was free of velvetleaf in the 2nd field. The persistence of bro
adleaf weed patches suggests that. weed seedling distributions mapped
in one year are good predictors of future seedling distributions. Impr
oved and more efficient sampling methods are needed.