Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Control and Winter Wheat Response to Post Herbicides Application

Abstract

Field bindweed is a deep-rooted and drought-tolerant perennial weed that can hardly be controlled once it has become established in wheat. Field experiments were carried out to investigate the control of field bindweed and winter wheat response to pyroxasulfone, metribuzin, dicamba, and a mixture of pyroxasulfone plus metribuzin plus dicamba, mesosulfuron, 2,4-D, 2,4-D plus mesosulfuron. The above-mentioned herbicides were applied at the 3-4 leaf stage and at the wheat tillering phase as well, depending on label recommendations. Experiments were performed in the Nemchinovka and Sokalova, Moscow regions in the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Controlling field bindweed was different depending on region and crop year. The reason for the variable weed control between the two regions are that there were fewer colder days after the Nemchinovka applications than there were after the Sokalova applications. The most consistent and greatest field bindweed control (87 to 97%) occurred with pyroxasulfone applied at the tillering stage in both regions. Pyroxasulfone application at the wheat tillering stage affected the control of field bindweed ranging from 69 to 90%. The least field bindweed control (25%) was obtained for mesosulfuron when applied at the 3-4 leaf stage. Wheat injury observed in response to herbicide treatments was minimal and less than 17% and transient; wheat recovered with no differences in yield. These herbicides can be safely applied in winter wheat for field bindweed control in the Moscow region.