Cotton fields were surveyed just prior to harvest in 1989. Survey sites were selected at random along an east-west and a north-south transect in the cotton production area of western Tennessee. Sample sites included sandy loam and silt loam soils of the Mississippi delta, alluvial silt loam soils along streams and upland silt loam sites. Mature weeds present in two adjacent rows (80 inches) for 50 feet, or a total of 100 row feet were counted at four random area in each field. Adjacent fields were avoided.

A total of 24 species were identified. Seventy percent of the fields sampled were infested with cocklebur, johnsongrass, and one or more species of morningglory. Trumpetcreeper and honeyvine milkweed were the most prevalent perennial vines. Prickly sida, although present in only 40% of the fields, was present in one field at a density of 1 plant per 2 square feet. It should be noted that this survey was conducted during a year when timely spring rains resulted in excellent performance of preemergence and early postemergence herbicides.