Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Morning glories function best in the presence of ample humus materials and an antag-
onistic decay system. Bindweeds tend to flourish more in an eroded low humus soil,
which cannot support corrective decay systems for soil restoration. Low calcium, phos-
phorus, potassium and pH are benchmarks. Crusting and sticky soil are also conse-
quences. Most creeping-vine-type weeds have extensive and fast growing rhizomes that
develop to completely entrap the soil nutrient system in and around all the clusters of or-
ganic residues. The biological energies contained in these foul, rotting residues support
numerous dominating hormone enzyme systems that are “ just right” for the vine weed
families, and “not just right'' for other species of soil and plant life. Such conditions can
occur within soils of high exchange capacity (clay) or low exchange capacity (sandy) —
with low or high organic material content — always in soils that impose limitations on
ferment and breakdown of organic residue in the desired direction. Such soils are unable
to govern the humus system. They also lack the capacity to support the right kind of nutri-
tion needed for better plant and animal food, chiefly because of the imbalanced hormone-
enzyme system that is sustained by improper decay.
Field bindweed, morning glory, creeping bindweed all dominate the plant kingdom be-
cause of a short circuit in the energy release of fouled decay systems. These limits are
generated by an accumulation of dry-dead organic substances either under dry fall condi-
tions, or in wet spring soil — with compaction, sedimentation, and improper tillage timing
figuring in the equation.
Cultural practices that relate to stress systems are greatly influenced by the pH charac-
ter of the colloidal system involved and by the effect of drainage and air capacity of the
decay medium. Correct these soil limitations through pH management and the bindweed-
morning glory syndrome becomes completely dispersed. No herbicide chemical or fertil-
izer material can replace good soil management. Roots that go down four feet in the first
year can't be chased by phenoxy herbicides.
Hedge bindweed is easy to identify. High twining with smooth leaves that alternate, are
simple, long-petioled, triangular ovate, the plant has white to pink to almost reddish
flowers. The fruit is glabrous and covered with bracts and calyx.
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