THE EFFECT OF REDUCED LIGHT INTENSITY ON THE AERIAL AND SUBTERRANEAN PARTS OF THE EUROPEAN BINDWEED

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Abstract
Different habitats with varying light intensities were established by placing cloth-covered chambers in an area where there was a heavy infestation of European bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and allowing the shelters to remain in the same place through 4 growing seasons. Bindweeds subjected to a light intensity of 600 ft.-candles for 4 seasons had only 0.7 gm. of green stem and leaf tissue on 24 sq. ft. of ground as compared to 1418.5 gm. at the end of the first season. Bindweeds exposed to full sunlight had 1700.9 gm. of above-ground material at the end of the 4th season; to a depth of 3 ft. 141.4 gm. of dry roots were obtained with an average total available carbohydrate percent of 18.79 and 22.96 gm. available carbohydrates. Under a light intensity of 600 ft.-candles, the total dry wt. of roots of the same cubical soil content, was 0.45 gm., with an average % of available carbohydrate of 27.74 and a total available carbohydrate content of 0.150 gm. The success of smother or competitive crop in the eradication of the bindweed is dependent primarily upon the extent to which it can reduce the light intensity.