FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
While prescribed fires are used in agriculture for weed control and
seedbed preparation, no studies have been done exclusively on field
bindweed.  Fire top-kills field bindweed [15].  Its deep rhizomes would
survive most fires; however, Degennaro and Weller [7] found 70 percent
of the roots of field bindweed were in the top 6 inches (15 cm) of soil.
Low to moderately severe fires could set back plant growth or kill those
plants without extensive rhizomes.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Field bindweed sprouts from surviving rhizomes after fire has killed the
vegetative plant parts [15].  Plants would sprout after spring or summer
burning and continue growing until fall frosts.  After vegetative growth
is restored, rhizomes extend and continue to create dense colonies in
any open habitat [15].  Since field bindweed seed can germinate after
several decades, buried seed that survives fire would sprout whenever it
is brought to the surface in succeeding years [37].  Because seed
survives digestive tracts, small mammals and birds could transport seed
onto a burned site.  In addition to seed scarification occurring by
stomach acids, fire scarification of surviving seed could enhance or
promote germination.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
In North Dakota, a 30 acre (12 ha) field was prepared for planting to
native grasses by burning and summer fallowing for 2 years [15].  Within
2 months after burning, perennial weeds, including field bindweed, were
very dense.  Follow-up treatment with 1 year of herbicide (2,4-D)
application was not successful.  A second year of herbicide treatment
was planned.


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fires do not successfully control field bindweed.  An
integrated approach should include herbicide applications and/or
soil pasteurization to achieve control [28,37].

Related categories for Species: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed