Agroscouting
Agroscouting is the systematic inspection of crops to promptly identify pests, diseases, weeds, and assess the growth status of cultivated plants.
Также говорят: crop monitoring, field inspection, phytosanitary scouting
The main goal of agroscouting is to obtain timely and objective information about the field. Regular monitoring allows an agronomist to shift from preventive pesticide application to precision plant protection, which significantly optimizes chemical costs.
The process is conducted throughout the entire growing season, from planting to harvest, aligned with crop phenological stages. It is crucial to move in a diagonal or zigzag pattern, inspecting at least ten points across the field. This helps identify infestation hotspots before they spread across the entire area.
Common mistakes include superficial inspection limited to field edges and failing to document findings. The effectiveness of scouting depends directly on the frequency of records and accurate identification of pest or pathogen life cycles.