Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Field Bindweed is a long lived perennial vine that is also known as Morning Glory. Morning Glory has creeping stems and is prostrate until it comes into contact with other plants or barriers. Then it starts to climb.

After you read this, you will be able to:

• Identify Field Bindweed or Morning Glory.
• Know the habitat of Bindweed.
• Know the best options to control Morning Glory.

 

Thanks to The Living Atlas of Australia for the distribution map.

 

Why is Field Bindweed a Problem Weed?

• Bindweed climbs and chokes out other plants.
• It has a large system of rhizomes that grow deep into the soil, and its taproot grows to a depth of 3 metres. This efficient root system reduces soil moisture to below the wilt point of other plants.
• It is aggressive and competes with plants for sunlight, and nutrients. In agriculture it reduces yields by to 50%.
• Field Bindweed re-shoots if the shoot is damaged.
• It is difficult to control with herbicides.
• The seeds of Bindweed stay viable in the guts of birds for over 100 hours. This means it can disperse over long distances.
• Bindweed is suspected of being toxic to livestock.
• It is a host for nematodes including the root knot nematode.

Morning Glory flowers are light-sensitive, and they close up at night and on cloudy days. This is called nyctinasty. and you can also see this happen in Gazania and Wood Sorrel.

Field Bindweed is a good indicator of low-fertility soils. that are low in Ca and P or under drought stress. It also indicates an excess of K.

More on turf weeds is in our weed ID chart. If you need any help with weed ID feel free to contact our turf agronomist.

Bindweed is a perennial, and has a thick taproot that allows the plant to survive during periods of low soil moisture.

 

Photosynthetic Pathway: C3 Weed.

 

Flower: Field Bindweed flowers throughout the year, and you often see this from Spring to Autumn. The white to pink flowers have a bell or funnel-shape, and last only 1 day.

 

Sometimes you see several pink stripes on the underside of the flower, and these extend from the base of the flower to the petal tip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf length: The leaves are usually opposite and triangular, and are 1 to 8 cm long.

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf width: Field Bindweed leaves are 0.2 to 4 cm wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments: Once Field Bindweed matures it is difficult to control with herbicides. The above ground shoot dies back from frost, but the roots can stand temperatures as low as -6°C.

 

 

 

 

 

Habitat: Morning Glory or Field Bindweed grows in a wide range of conditions. These range from full sun to full shade, and it can tolerate long drought periods. This weed thrives in dry, gravel rich soils, but prefers rich, fertile soils with moderate soil moisture.

 

 

 

 

 

You rarely find Field bindweed in wet soils, and it is often seen in verges, waste tips, and disturbed ground.

 

 

 

Bindweed is very difficult to eradicate due to such an extensive underground system of roots and rhizomes. However, a combination of cultural and chemical controls will manage Morning Glory or Field Bindweed. Autumn is an ideal time carry out control of this perennial weed.

 

 

The first step in the cultural control of Field Bindweed is to feed your turf. Field bindweed does not compete well if there is a thick cover of turf grass.

• Apply the right amount of nitrogen.
• Irrigate your turf properly. Make sure you don’t over water.
• Field Bindweed tends to struggle in heavy shade, so maintain your turf at the right height of cut.
• If you try and mow to remove Bindweed, it will not work due to its prostrate growth habit.
• Hand weeding is a waste of time unless the plants are very young, and haven’t had time to develop an extensive root system.

 

• Standalone herbicides like 2,4-D are not the best option to use, as they only tend to suppress this weed. The aim with 2,4-D is to reduce Field Bindweed by 60 to 80% and prevent seeds from establishing. It is important to apply 2,4-D every year, because if you miss an application it gives the Bindweed a chance to recover.
• Dicamba. Control of Bindweed with Dicamba is best when it is actively growing, and in the post bloom stage. You should make a follow-up application in the Spring to control any seedlings. Dicamba is not safe to use on Buffalo grass.
• Contra M. Do not use on Buffalo grass.
• MCPA.
• Quinclorac. This is not registered in Australia for Field Bindweed. Overseas if you spray with this add a methylated seed oil (Voltage MSO). This helps with chemical uptake via the foliage and roots. Any rain or irrigation after application helps with uptake.