Abstract
Yüksekova Basin, Gever Plain has extremely rich biodiversity and surveys were conducted at 232 different sites for two years (2020-2021) in the basin. Convolvulus L. genus contains some important weed species in Turkey; thus, species belonging to the genus, their population densities, and frequency of occurrences were determined during the surveys. Besides, the biological control agents observed on the identified weed species were recorded during the surveys. Three species, i.e., Convolvulus arvensis L., Convolvulus betonicifolius Mill. subsp. peduncularis (Boiss.) Parris and Convolvulus lineatus L., were recorded from the study area. The frequency of occurrences for C. concretecifolius and C. lineatus species were 6.6% and 1.7%, respectively, while the incidence of C. arvensis in the region was 60.7%. It was observed that C. concretecifolius (Shaggy Field bindweed) is populated in agricultural areas in the region, whereas C. lineatus (Striped bindweed) exhibits higher distribution in pasture areas. However, C. arvensis (Field bindweed) was recorded in all crop plants in the Gever Plain. It was also common in natural ecosystems and non-agricultural areas such as road/field edges, settlements, etc. A total 4 microfungi [Aecidium convolvulinum Speg., Alternaria atra (Preuss) Woudenb. & Crous, Cercospora convolvulicola M. Bakhshi, Arzanlou Babaiahari, Crous & U. Braun., Curvularia inaequalis (Shear) Boedijn] and 2 insect species [Hypocassida subferruginea Schrank, 1776 (Coleoptera:Chryperruginea) Spermophagus sericeus Geoffroy, 1785 (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)] were identified on the field bindweed. However, no biological control agents were recorded on the other two species. It has been observed that the biological control agents significantly suppress field bindweed populations in the study area. Therefore, it is concluded that protection of the beneficial organisms in the study area is of great importance. Besides, detailed survey studies should be conducted to examine other important weed species in the region to explore potential biological control agents.