Phenological response patterns and productive ability of <i>Fallopia convolvulus</i> to weather variability in Iran

Abstract

An understanding of phenology and reproductive ability of a weed species can provide valuable information to manage it incisively. Field studies were conducted in North of Iran, in 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the influence of weather variability on phenological response patterns and production ability of black bindweed. In six sowing dates from October to March, the required thermal time, development rate and seed production ability for each phenophases across different sowing date (SD) were recorded. Among the six sowing dates, the late-autumn SD had the highest emergence and development rate. Sowing dates had significant (p < 0.005) effect on the timing of key phenophases, and more importantly on the period each phenological growth stage spent. The estimated seed production of this weed upon to SD varied from 1,200 to 15,000 seeds per plant. Based on the result black bindweed can be a prevalent weed in a wide range of growing season. Also, late winter and early spring can be mentioned as a vital time to manage and deplete seed bank. The results of current study could help construct a basic framework for a variety of weed-management tactics for conserving the ecosystems and biodiversity on which we depend.