When should follow-up occur after applying contact herbicides on nonwoody plants?

Follow-up after applying contact herbicides on nonwoody plants is best performed a few days after application. Contact herbicides work by directly entering the plant tissue upon application, leading to rapid action. Monitoring a few days later allows for assessment of the herbicide's effectiveness and identification of any immediate symptoms of plant distress.

Conducting follow-up within this timeframe is critical for evaluating the initial results and determining if additional treatment is necessary. Waiting longer, such as two weeks, might not provide timely feedback on the herbicide's efficacy. Similarly, relying solely on visible symptoms could lead to delays in management decisions, as some symptoms may take time to become apparent, and early intervention may be required to prevent herbicide-resistant growth or re-establishment of unwanted plant species.