Investigation of morphophysiological variables and introducing field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)population biotypes in Damavand

Field bindweed has an impressive array of survival techniques which has enabled it to become one of the world’s 10 worst weeds. Throughout the past century, its invasiveness has given major impetus to the development of selective herbicides and weed science in general. This research was accomplished during 2005 to 2006 at Weed Resaerch Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection for identification of morphoecophysiological variation of field bindweed population, and introducing these weed biotypes in Damavand. The study was done by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) based upon 43 morphological and physiological variables. The most important variable was Leaf Area (LA). Results of this study showed 16 biotypes in Damavand. The variability in morphological and physiological of field bindweed biotypes may explain their different adaptability as the environmental conditions and different managemant practices change. The reason of difficult control of field bindweed is the high degree of phenotypic polymorphism within this species.