NMSU Researchers Look for Bindweed Mite Nurseries

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A researcher at New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari wants crop producers and gardeners across the state to have acces to a tiny mite that can control pesky bindweed. Anna María Pèrez-Wright has the story.

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Field bindweed, a European vine, has spread across farm fields in the United States, out-competing crops and native plants. Forage agronomist Leonard Lauriault with New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari says the weed can be effectively controlled by a tiny mite, its only natural enemy. He has the mites available free for the taking, and hopes to find other bindweed nursery sites across New Mexico where the mites can be grown for distribution.

"If you have a nursery in your county, it's more convenient than having to come to Tucumcari. I had a man come from Grand Junction, Colorado, to pick up mites here. People shouldn't have to drive that far just to get the mites."

Field bindweed is found in every county in New Mexico. Lauriault says though the science center has had success growing the mites in Tucumcari, more research needs to be done to determine if the beneficial insects thrive in other climates. The research center has tested several areas of the state and plans to expand the site search.

"We know that they are established in small areas down in Las Cruces. We also have some established in Alcalde, we're going to try to establish a nursery in Los Lunas and we'll try to establish nurseries down in the Artesia area as well later on this year."

For more information about bindweed or for free bindweed mites call NMSU's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, (505) 461-1620. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pèrez-Wright