Identification and Control of Trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans (L.) Seem ex Bureau) in Virginia

Authors: Kevin W. Bradley, Postdoctoral Research Associate; and Edward S. Hagood, Jr., Extension Weed Scientist; Virginia Tech

Publication Number: 450-143; Posted July 2001

Identification

Perennial woody vine that may reach 40 feet or more in length. Leaves are opposite and composed of several similar leaflets also arranged oppositely from one another (pinnately compound). A single leaf may contain 7-15 leaflets that are 1-3 inches long, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches wide, and coarsely toothed (1). Stems become woody, and may be either trailing along the ground or climbing on other vegetation (5). Stems root where they touch the ground and also produce aerial roots that aid in climbing. Showy red-orange trumpet shaped flowers (2-3 inches long) produce a long, narrow capsule containing many winged seed (5). This weed is also commonly referred to as "cow-itch."

Control In Corn

Trumpetcreeper infestations may be reduced and perhaps even eliminated in conventionally grown corn where disruption of the root system occurs due to plowing or disking (4). This effect of reducing the size of rootstocks is illustrated in Figure 1, where significantly higher control of trumpetcreeper was recorded with both 2,4-D and Banvel® in plants growing from 4-inch root sections compared to 18-inch root sections. However, in no-till corn production, trumpetcreeper roots are often left undisturbed and the resulting infestation may cause reductions in yield and/or interfere with harvest (4). The results presented in Table 1 illustrate that similar levels of season-long trumpetcreeper suppression may be achieved with applications of Permit®, Exceed®, Beacon®, or Callisto® when these herbicides are applied with either Banvel® or Distinct®. However, as illustrated in Table 1, some of the greatest reductions in the trumpetcreeper populations were achieved with applications of Callisto® and Banvel® or Distinct®. Several researchers have also investigated the efficacy of Roundup Ultra® on trumpetcreeper populations in combination with a genetically engineered Roundup Ready® corn hybrid. One of these studies has illustrated that good to excellent trumpetcreeper control can be achieved with early- to late-September applications of Roundup Ultra® (3). However, treatment at this time is often impossible due to the typical size of corn at this time of year. Therefore, where severe infestations exist, growers may be required to consider applications in fallow or rotation to Roundup Ready® soybeans where this weed can be managed much more effectively.

Table 1. Trumpetcreeper control in corn with POST herbicides (2).

Herbicidea Rate/A Trumpet-creeper
Controlb
2,4-D 1/2 pt 55
Banvel 1/4 pt 61
Banvel 1/2 pt 65
Distinct 6 ozs 58
Exceed 1 oz 54
Exceed + Banvel 1 oz+1/4 pt 52
Exceed + Distinct 1 oz + 6 ozs 57
Exceed + 2, 4-D 1 oz + 1/2 pt 47
Permit 1 1/3 ozs 43
Permit + Banvel 1 1/3 ozs+1/4 pt 50
Permit + Distinct 1 1/3 ozs + 6 ozs 61
Permit + 2, 4-D 1 1/3 ozs + 1/2 pt 40
Beacon 3/4 oz 51
Beacon + Banvel 3/4 oz+1/4 pt 68
Beacon + Distinct 3/4 oz + 6 ozs 51
Beacon + 2, 4-D 3/4 oz + 1/2 pt 49
Callisto 0.094 lbs ai 70
Callisto + Banvel 0.094 lbs ai + 1/4 pt 66
Callisto + Distinct 0.094 lbs ai + 6 ozs 60
Callisto + 2, 4-D 0.094 lbs ai + 1/2 pt 56
LSD (0.05):   22
aExceed, Permit, Beacon, and Callisto treatments applied with 1/4% NIS.
bControl expressed as the reduction in the trumpetcreeper population.

Control In Soybeans

The methods available for the control of trumpetcreeper in soybeans are similar to those described in no-till corn. For example, reductions in the size of trumpetcreeper rootstocks through plowing or disking in conventionally grown soybeans should contribute to a greater suppression of this weed following herbicide applications. Additionally, in research conducted on severe trumpetcreeper infestations in no-till Roundup Ready® soybeans in Virginia, sequential applications of Roundup Ultra® or Touchdown New® at 1 1/2 pts/A or at 1 qt/A provided greater than 90% trumpetcreeper control at 2 months after treatment (2). Other alternatives for the suppression of trumpetcreeper in soybeans include: Cobra® at 12.5 fl. ozs./A and Reflex® or Flexstar HL®, both at 1.5 pts/A. Applications of these desiccator-type herbicides will only provide topgrowth suppression of trumpetcreeper, however, and regrowth from underground rootstocks is likely to occur.

Control In Forages

Trumpetcreeper usually is not a problem weed in pastures and hay fields where its growth is restricted by mowing and grazing (4). However, where severe infestations occur, Banvel® or Clarity® at 2 qts/A, high rates of Crossbow®, or the combination of 2,4-D with a lower rate of Banvel® or Clarity® will provide from 60 to 100% control of this weed. Spot treatments of a 2% (v/v) Roundup Ultra® solution are also an effective means of controlling small infestations of trumpetcreeper.

References

Elmore, C.D. Weed Identification Guide. Southern Weed Science Society. Champaign, IL.

Hagood, E. S. and K. W. Bradley. 2000. Summary of 2000 weed control trials for agronomic crops. 312 p.

Shaw, D.R. and R.E. Mack. 1991. Application timing of herbicides for the control of redvine (Brunnichia ovata). Weed Technol. 5:125-129.

Thompson, L., Jr., C. H. Slack, R. D. Augenstein, and J. W. Herron. 1973. Action and fate of 2, 4-D and dicamba in trumpetcreeper. Weed Sci. 21:429-432.

Uva, R. H., J. C. Neal, and J. M. DiTomasso. 1997, Weeds of the Northeast. Cornell University Press.

Trumpetcreeper Images

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