Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Field Bindweed is a long lived perennial vine that is also known as Morning Glory. It has an extensive and efficient root system that reduces the soil water content to below the wilt point of most crops. It also competes with turf for sunlight, and nutrients, and chokes out other plants.
Morning Glory has creeping stems and is prostrate until it comes into contact with other plants or barriers. This weed has an extensive system of rhizomes that can grow deep into the soil.
Morning Glory flowers are light-sensitive, and the flowers close up at night and on cloudy days. This is called nyctinasty. and you can also see this in Gazania and Wood Sorrel.
Field Bindweed is a good indicator of low-fertility soils that are deficient 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.
Thanks to The Living Atlas of Australia for the distribution map.
After you read this, you will be able to:
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Identify Field Bindweed or Morning Glory.
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Know the habitat of Bindweed.
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Know the best options to control Morning Glory.
How to Identify Field Bindweed.
It is also a big seed producer, with an average plant able to produce over 500 seeds. These can lie dormant for up to 20 years as the seed coat becomes waterproof after a month.
Seed longevity: Seeds are viable for more than 5 years.
Germination depth: Field Bindweed germinates at a depth of 6 to 7 cm.
Seeds/flower: There are 1 to 4 seeds per flower.
Seeds/plant: 550.
How to Control Field Bindweed.
Cultural control.
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 turfgrass.
- Apply enough nitrogen.
- Irrigate properly.
- Field Bindweed struggles in shade, so maintain your turf at the right height of cut. However, 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 yet developed an extensive root system.
Chemical control of Field Bindweed.
Pre-emergents do not work on Field Bindweed or Morning Glory. You get the best results with post-emergents.
Post Emergent Control of Field Bindweed.
- Standalone herbicides like 2,4-D do not work well. The aim with 2,4-D is to reduce Bindweed stands by 60 to 80% and prevent seedling establishment. It is important to apply 2,4-D every year. If you miss an application it gives Bindweed a chance to recover.
- Dicamba. Control of Field Bindweed with Dicamba is best when weeds are actively growing and in the post bloom stage. Make a follow-up application in the Spring to control any seedlings. Dicamba is not safe to use on Buffalo grass.
- Contra M.
- MCPA.
- Quinclorac. This is not registered in Australia for Field Bindweed. Overseas though if you must add methylated seed oil (Voltage MSO), it helps with chemical uptake via the foliage and roots. Rain after application is important for soil uptake.
Non Selective Bindweed Control.
- Glyphosate. You get the best results vs Filed Bindweed if you apply Glyphosate from full bloom to the early seed stage of maturity. If you apply this to Autumn regrowth it also may provide some control.
The aim is to fully cover the foliage but avoid spray runoff. You may need to make repeated treatments for complete control.
If you use Glyphosate and water quality is an issue then use ProForce Manta Ray.
Other non selective options for Field Bindweed include:
