Cropland, Rangeland, Pasture

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Monica Pokorny

Jan Samanek, Bugwood.org Mature plant.

USDA PLANTS Database Leaves, flowers and buds.

Identification and Life Cycle. Field bindweed is a perennial forb in the morning-glory family family (Convolvulaceae). Seedling leaves are spatulate and broad and indented at the tip. The dark-green leaves, shaped like arrowheads with sharp pointed lobes, are alternate and grow on one side of the stem. Stems are 1–4 feet long, growing horizontally along the ground or climbing. Flowers are approximately 1 in. diameter, tubular or bell-shaped, and white to pinkish. Two bracts occur on the stem 1 inch below the flower base. Four seeds are produced in a 1/8 in., brownish-gray, round fruit. The extensive root system and creeping growth habit of this perennial weed forms dense tangled infestations.

Habitats. Field bindweed grows in low- to mid-elevations where it is found on cultivated lands, pastures, gardens and lawns, roadsides, railways and other disturbed areas. It favors dry to moderately moist rich soils and soil types of heavier texture but can also persist on poor, gravely soils. It is capable of surviving long periods of drought. It is not tolerant of shade and is unlikely to persist in late succession plant communities.

Impacts. Field bindweed can reduce crop yields and its twining stems can interfere with harvesting and planting. Its extensive root system allows it to compete for soil moisture and nutrients resulting in reduced crop yield. Crop seed contaminated with field bindweed seed can reduce crop values. It also acts as an alternate host for some crop diseases, which can lead to crop injury and loss. In lawns and gardens, field bindweed increases maintenance costs.

Biology and Ecology. Field bindweed reproduces by seed and vegetatively from roots. Seed germination occurs in autumn or spring, over a wide range of temperatures. It can also over-winter as roots and rhizomes. Buds arise on the lateral roots and develop into rhizomes that can establish as new crowns when they reach the soil surface. Stems grow throughout the growing season. Flowers appear from June to September and occasionally until the first autumn frost. Seeds mature two weeks after pollination. The number of seeds produced per plant ranges from 25 to 300. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for over 20 years. Seeds generally fall near the parent plant, but can be dispersed by water, wildlife, machinery, and as a contaminant in crop seeds.

Management Approaches.

Biological Control. The bindweed gall mite (Aceria mahlerbae) and bindweed moth (Tyta luctuosa) have been released in the United States. The gall mite is slow to establish and may potentially infest native morning glory species and thus is not recommended. Mass-rearing of the moth has been difficult and it is currently unavailable.

Mechanical and Cultural Control: Intensive cultivation can control newly emerged seedlings, may kill young field bindweed infestations, and contributes to control of established stands. Frequent cultivations deplete the root reserves of established plants and stimulate dormant seeds to germinate. Field bindweed should be tilled starting 8–12 days after each emergence, continued at two week intervals throughout the growing season, and repeated for three to five years. Re-vegetation as soon as practical after tilling helps suppress field bindweed re-establishment. Winter wheat, cover crops, other crops, and perennial forages with early spring growth will shade and suppress field bindweed. If cropland is severely infested it is recommended that a cover crop or cereal grain be planted and labeled herbicides applied for at least one growing season. Crop rotation can also be a successful method of control.

Cutting and mowing have little effect on field bindweed populations unless plants are cut below the root crown at early stages of growth. Hand-pulling seedlings can be effective for small, new infestations before plants set seed. Cattle, sheep and goats will graze on field bindweed leaves and stems and might reduce seed production if timed to prevent flowering.

Chemical Control: Herbicides temporarily suppress field bindweed but no herbicide or herbicide combination will provide 100% control. Chemical treatment often requires repeated applications which may damage non-target species. For successful control, apply herbicides when field bindweed is actively growing and stems are ≥ 12 in. long.

Example of herbicides that can be used to manage field bindweed. Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://ces.uwyo.edu/WeedManagementHandbook.asp.

Herbicide Trade Name chemical name	Rate	Comments
Croplands
Numerous brands 2,4-D	1 – 4 qt/ac	In forage and seed alfalfa, apply postemergence to small seedlings when alfalfa has at least 2 - 4 trifoliate leaves, or apply to established alfalfa in the fall or spring. Apply to seedling grasses after the 5 leaf stage or to well established grasses in spring after tillering but before boot stage.
Aim carfentrazone-ethyl	0.33 – 1 oz/ac	In corn and sorghum, apply to emerged weeds from 30 days before planting up to the 8 leaf collar growth stage of corn.
Clarity dicamba	0.5–1 pt/ac corn; 0.5 pt/ac sorghum; 2 – 3 oz/ac spring barley; 2 – 4 oz/ac wheat	Corn: preplant, preemergence, or before crop is 5-leaf stage or corn is 8 – 36 in tall. Sorghum: preplant or after crop is in spike stage but before 15 in. tall. Apply to established grasses, winter wheat or barley before crop reaches joint stage. Spring wheat: apply before crop exceeds 6-leaf stage. Spring barley: before crop exceeds 4-leaf stage.
NorthStar primisulfuron+ dicamba	5 oz/ac	Apply when weeds are small (1- 6 in.) and corn is between 4 – 12 in. stages.
Paramount quinclorac	3 – 8 oz /ac	Apply preemergence, or postemergence before sorghum exceeds 12 in. and when weeds are < 2 in. tall. Apply after grass seed harvest and hay removal, but before the first killing frost. For chemical fallow apply when weed is actively growing.
PastureGard triclopyr + fluroxypyr	1.5 – 8 pts/ac	Apply after grass seedlings are well established and tillering, development of a secondary root system, and vigorous growth. Apply when weeds are small and growing actively before the bud stage.
Raptor imazamox	5 oz/ac	Apply to seedling alfalfa after 2 trifoliate leaves have expanded and before 3 in. of growth.
Roundup glyphosate	12 oz –5 qt/ac	Apply to actively growing weeds before planting or any time prior to crop emergence.
Scythe Pelargonic acid + fatty acids	3 – 10% by volume	Apply to small emerged weeds prior to grass seed crop emergence or after harvest.
Sencor metribuzin	0.5 lb/ac	Apply when grass seed crop is dormant and prior to active spring growth.
Surmount^R picloram + fluroxypyr	1.5– 2.5 pts/ac	Apply preplant or postemergence grass seed crop and when weeds are small, growing and pre-bud stage.
Weedmaster dicamba + 2,4-D	0.5– 4 pts/ac	In grass seed crops, apply at the germinating stage of weeds. Reduced control if weeds reach 1 in height. For established grasses grown for seed, do not apply after grass reaches joint stage.
Pasture, Range, and Non-crop areas
Numerous brands 2,4-D	Rates vary among labels	Applied in the fall when the soil is moist and field bindweed stems are 12 in. long.
Banvel, Clarity dicamba	1–2 qt/ac	A fall application is appropriate for spot treatments on pastures and rangeland.
Cimarron, Escort metsulfuron	0.33 - 2 oz/ac.	Apply to actively growing weeds.
Grazon P&D^R paraquat	2-4 pt/ac	Apply to actively growing weeds in spring and early summer before full bloom or in the fall.
Journey imazapic + glyphosate	10.7- 32 oz/ac	Consult label for timing.
Overdrive diflufenzopyr + dicamba	4 - 8 oz/ac	Apply to young, actively growing weeds.
Roundup glyphosate	0.25 - 5 qt/ac	Best controlled when applications are made after the bud stage until fall if foliage is still green. Fall applications before a killing frost.
Tordon 22K^R picloram	1 qt/ac	Controls for one or more years on pastures and rangeland.
Weedmaster dicamba + 2,4-D	0.5 - 6 pt/ac	Apply to actively growing weeds.
^RRestricted Use Product.
Disclosure. The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

Categories: Weed, Crops, Range, Pasture

Date: 11/28/2007