VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Field bindweed is consumed by ungulates, small mammals, and birds
[1,5,18].  It comprised 1.7 percent of mule deer summer diet on a
central Colorado ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-bunchgrass range [5].
Analysis of rumen samples showed that field bindweed was consumed by 30
percent of the individuals in one white-tailed deer population in
Montana [1].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of field bindweed for wildlife species in Montana and
Utah is rated as follows:

                                 MT              UT              
        Pronghorn               fair            good
        Elk                      --             good
        Mule deer                --             good
        White-tailed deer       poor            good
        Small mammals           poor            fair
        Small non-game birds    poor            fair
        Upland game birds       poor            fair
        Waterfowl                --             fair


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Field bindweed provides poor environmental protection during one or more
seasons for wild ungulates, game and small nongame birds, and small
mammals in Utah.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Field bindweed is one of the ten worst weeds in the world [6,7,18,37].
Efforts must be made to prevent field bindweed from establishing on
disturbed sites.  Soil pasteurization is recommended to prepare a clean
seedbed for native plant production [2].  Long-lasting control of field
bindweed can be achieved with an integrated pest management program
utilizing biological, mechanical, and chemical methods [28].  Tillage
has been less successful as a control method and should be combined with
fall cover crop seedings [28].

Biological Control:  Research is progressing on various fungal pathogens
(Altenaria brassicae, Bartalinia robillardoides, Myrothecium roridum)
from India for field bindweed control [32,35].  In one study, the fungus
Phomopsis convolvulus killed 95 percent of field bindweed seedlings
[24].  Insects (e.g., Galeruca rufa, Eriophyes sp., Spermophagus
sericeus, Erysiphe convolvuli) from Europe have been introduced with
mixed levels of control [31].

Chemical Control:  Chemical control has been used successfully against
mature field bindweed plants [28].  Chemical choice depends upon (1)
extent of infestation, (2) use of land where growing, and (3) proximity
to water or likelihood of irrigation.  Some effective chemicals used are
2,4-D, dicamba, picloram, or chlorates [28].

Seeds are impervious to water and to water-soluble chemicals (i.e.,
herbicides).  After herbaceous growth is killed, seed bank reserves will
continue to establish infestations [37].  Therefore, seedlings must be
controlled; they are susceptible to 2,4-D or glyphosate [37].

Related categories for Species: Convolvulus arvensis | Field Bindweed