**1. Introduction**

Weeds are one of the most important pest that reduces crop productivity. Weeds and crop plants are very similar in their demand for carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the atmosphere, water and minerals from the soil and light from the sun for their growth and development [1]. When weeds compete for these restrictive resources, the growth and development of crops are restricted, and their yield and productivity drastically reduced. The type and density of weed population, and the duration of weed-crop interference determines the magnitude of damage and yield loss inflicted by weeds on crop plants [2, 3]. Weed interference in cucumber results

in high yield reduction in the range of 45–95% in different agro climatic conditions [4–6]. Growers and agricultural experts throughout the world consistently indicate that weeds are one of the most economically important pests of cucumber. Therefore, an effective weed management strategy is recognized as a necessity for an economically feasible cucumber production [4, 6].

Currently, weed management methods employed to reduce yield losses in cucumber are predominantly hand weeding and herbicides application [7]. However, these weed management systems have a number of limitations. Hand weeding is tedious, inefficient, time consuming and associated with high labor demands [1, 7, 8]. In addition, labor for manual weeding is scarce and often too expensive [1, 2, 9]. Consequently, farmers spend a large amount of time in weeding operation. Despite the effort expended in weeding by farmers, weed still cause considerable yield losses, because most of the weeding operations are not done during the critical period of weed interference, but well after the crop have suffered irrevocable damage from weeds [4, 10]. Most weed competition in cucumber is a consequence of delayed first weeding during the early stage of crop growth [7, 11]. Moreover, the efficacy of hand weeding is often compromised by the continued wet condition characteristics of the beginning of the rainy season in many agro climatic zones. Hand weeding under conditions of irrigation or high rainfall often causes weed to re-root and re-establish, necessitating several rounds of weeding to keep cucumber weed-free and avert yield losses [5].

Herbicides are quite effective in suppressing weeds in cucumber if used properly [7]. Herbicides reduce drudgery and protect cucumber from early weed competition [4, 10]. However, only a few herbicides are registered for weed control in cucumber [12, 13]. Moreover, most available herbicides do not provide season-long weed control when used alone, and single herbicide application may not control the entire weed spectrum with diverse physiology, morphology and time of emergence [4, 6, 14]. Although herbicide use alleviates the problem of labor for weeding, incorrect use may be injurious to the crop and bring about other environmental problems [15, 16].

No-tillage, conventional tillage, stale seedbed, and mulching are other options currently utilized for weed control in cucumber [15–18]. However, these weed control methods are limited and inefficient when used as a stand-alone weed management tactics [5]. Therefore, the adoption of integrated weed management (IWM) strategy is more advantageous than relying on one form of weed control. IWM involves the reduction of weed interference through a combination of two or more methods while maintaining acceptable crop yields, environment, social and economic wellbeing [1, 19]. However, in literature, information on weed interference and management methods, especially IWM strategy for improved productivity of cucumber is very scattered and not available in the form of a single document. Therefore, this book chapter is compiled to present all the available information into one document, which will be useful to all cucumber industry stakeholders like researchers, academicians, the extension community, industrialists, and growers. This book chapter covers in detail the weed flora of cucumber, their impact on cucumber and yield losses due to weed interference, different methods of weed control and IWM management strategies in cucumber.

#### **2. Weed flora of cucumber**

Diverse weed species infest cucumber but the extent of damage inflicted on cucumber crop varies with the type of weed species involved. A complete list of weed flora in cucumber grown in different agro climatic zones around the world is

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*Weed Interference and Management in Cucumber (*Cucumis sativus *L.)*

*Digitaria horizontalis* Willd. [24] *Echinochloa crusgalli* [23] *Euphorbia heterophylla* L. [27] *Euphorbia hirta* [27] *Euphorbia glomerifera* [27] *Eleusine indica* L. [22] *Emilia sonchifolia* [20, 24] *Emilia coceinea* [22, 24] *Eragrostis atrovirens* [22] *Galinsoga spp* [20] *Impereta cylindrical* [27]

**Weeds References** *Abutilon theophrasti* Medicus [20, 21] *Adconopus compressus* [5, 22] *Ageratum conyzoides* [22, 23] *Ambrosia artemisiifolia* L. [5, 20, 23] *Amaranthus hybridus* L. [5, 22–26] *Amaranthus spinosus* L. [5, 23–25] *Amaranthus palmeri* S. Wats. [4, 23–25] *Amaranthus lividus* L. [5, 24, 25] *Amaranthus retroflexus* L. [23–25] *Ambrosia artemisiifolia* L. [22, 23] *Anodacristata* L. [20, 24] *Aspilia Africana* [22] *Axonopus compressors* (Sw.) P. Beauv [22, 27] *Bidens pilosa* [22, 23, 27] *Boerhavia diffusa* (Linn). [22, 27] *Chenopodium album* L. [20, 22, 23] *Chloris pilosa* Schumach [27] *Chromoleana odorata (*L.) R.M. King and Robinson [22] *Chrysopogan aciculatus* (Retz.) Trin. [27] *Combretum hispidum* Laws. [27] *Commelina benghalensis* (Burn.) [20, 24] *Commelina diffusa* L. [22] *Commelina errecta* L. [24] *Convolvulus arvensis* L*.* [23] *Coronopus didymus* [27] *Croton hirtus* L'Herit [23] *Crupheacarth agenensis* [24] *Cynodon dactylon* L. [22–24] *Cyperus esculentus* L*.* [5, 23, 24] *Cyperus rotundus* L. [5, 20, 22, 23, 26]

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99564*


#### *Weed Interference and Management in Cucumber (*Cucumis sativus *L.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99564*

*Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding*

an economically feasible cucumber production [4, 6].

cucumber weed-free and avert yield losses [5].

control and IWM management strategies in cucumber.

**2. Weed flora of cucumber**

problems [15, 16].

in high yield reduction in the range of 45–95% in different agro climatic conditions [4–6]. Growers and agricultural experts throughout the world consistently indicate that weeds are one of the most economically important pests of cucumber. Therefore, an effective weed management strategy is recognized as a necessity for

Currently, weed management methods employed to reduce yield losses in cucumber are predominantly hand weeding and herbicides application [7]. However, these weed management systems have a number of limitations. Hand weeding is tedious, inefficient, time consuming and associated with high labor demands [1, 7, 8]. In addition, labor for manual weeding is scarce and often too expensive [1, 2, 9]. Consequently, farmers spend a large amount of time in weeding operation. Despite the effort expended in weeding by farmers, weed still cause considerable yield losses, because most of the weeding operations are not done during the critical period of weed interference, but well after the crop have suffered irrevocable damage from weeds [4, 10]. Most weed competition in cucumber is a consequence of delayed first weeding during the early stage of crop growth [7, 11]. Moreover, the efficacy of hand weeding is often compromised by the continued wet condition characteristics of the beginning of the rainy season in many agro climatic zones. Hand weeding under conditions of irrigation or high rainfall often causes weed to re-root and re-establish, necessitating several rounds of weeding to keep

Herbicides are quite effective in suppressing weeds in cucumber if used properly [7]. Herbicides reduce drudgery and protect cucumber from early weed competition [4, 10]. However, only a few herbicides are registered for weed control in cucumber [12, 13]. Moreover, most available herbicides do not provide season-long weed control when used alone, and single herbicide application may not control the entire weed spectrum with diverse physiology, morphology and time of emergence [4, 6, 14]. Although herbicide use alleviates the problem of labor for weeding, incorrect use may be injurious to the crop and bring about other environmental

No-tillage, conventional tillage, stale seedbed, and mulching are other options currently utilized for weed control in cucumber [15–18]. However, these weed control methods are limited and inefficient when used as a stand-alone weed management tactics [5]. Therefore, the adoption of integrated weed management (IWM) strategy is more advantageous than relying on one form of weed control. IWM involves the reduction of weed interference through a combination of two or more methods while maintaining acceptable crop yields, environment, social and economic wellbeing [1, 19]. However, in literature, information on weed interference and management methods, especially IWM strategy for improved productivity of cucumber is very scattered and not available in the form of a single document. Therefore, this book chapter is compiled to present all the available information into one document, which will be useful to all cucumber industry stakeholders like researchers, academicians, the extension community, industrialists, and growers. This book chapter covers in detail the weed flora of cucumber, their impact on cucumber and yield losses due to weed interference, different methods of weed

Diverse weed species infest cucumber but the extent of damage inflicted on cucumber crop varies with the type of weed species involved. A complete list of weed flora in cucumber grown in different agro climatic zones around the world is

**110**


#### **Table 1.**

*A list of weed flora of cucumber.*

presented in **Table 1**. However, major problematic weeds in cucumber include broadleaved weed species such as members of the families Amaranthaceae (*Amaranthus retroflexus*, *Amaranthus spinosus*, *Amaranthus hybridus, Chenopodium album*) Asteraceae (*Tridax procumbens*, *Bidens pilosa, Xanthium strumarium, Ambrosia spp*); Euphobiaceae (*Euphorbia heterophylla*, *Euphorbia hirta*); Convolvulaceae (*Ipomoea spp*, *convolvulus arvensis*); Portulacaceae (*Portulaca oleracea, Purtulaca pilosa*); Solanaceae (*Solanum carolinense Solanum nigrum*), grasses weed species of the family Poaceae (*Cynodon dactylon*, *Sorghum halepense, Echinochloa crusgalli, Seteria verticillata, Digitaria spp, Paspalum spp, Panicum maximum*) and sedges of the family Cyperaceae including *Cyperus rotundus,* and *Cyperus esculentus* [24, 27–29]. The major feature of these weed species is their widespread existence and difficulty in management. Annual broad-leaved weeds like *Amaranthus spp, Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, Portulaca oleracea* and *Euphorbia spp* cause serious damage to cucumber due to their rapid spread, production of many seeds, high efficiency in water use and net photosynthesis [4, 5, 24, 27]. Just 1–2 plants of *Amaranthus spp* per square yard growing with cucumber throughout the crop life cycle can reduce yield by 10%, while 5–7 plants of *Amaranthus spp* per square yard can reduce cucumber yield by 50% [5]. The occurrence of many biotypes of this weed specie

**113**

*Weed Interference and Management in Cucumber (*Cucumis sativus *L.)*

and its resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides also complicates its management [25]. *Chenopodium album* is able to outgrow cucumber and compete with the crop for nutrients, light and moisture. Its rapid growth and establishment rate makes it difficult to control by cultivation [20]. *Solanum nigrum* also grows rapidly and is able to out compete with cucumber vines. It is also capable of hosting pest such as white fly [20, 25]. *Portulaca oleracea* spreads quickly due in part to its large seed it production. It also harbors pest such as caterpillar moths and spread quickly between the crop rows [20]. *Bidens pilosa* is another broad-leaved weed specie with great adaptability and one of the most difficult to control in cucumber [20]. Its main features are: the extensive formation of achenes, high water use efficiency in region of prolonged drought stress and dormancy which facilitates its viability in the soil. *Bidens pilosa* is also resistant to herbicides that inhibit the acetolactate synthase, which further

Generally, annual weeds are the main problem in cucumber but perennials such as *Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus*, *Sorghum halepense Cynodon dactylon* and *convolvulus arvensis* are also difficult to control and possess considerable problems to cucumber [24, 25, 27, 29]. These weed species remain alive for more than one year in spite of producing seeds in the growing season proceeding the dry season and, therefore cause significant damage to cucumber. They are difficult to control because they have the capacity to survive adverse conditions by forming extensive underground vegetative structures such as rhizomes and stolon [31]. *Cyperus rotundus,* and *Cyperus esculentus* can reproduce sexually and asexually by rhizomes and tubers, and therefore exert significant competition for moisture, carbon dioxide, light and nutrient in addition to their allelopathic effects [31]. Competition and allelopathic effects of *Cyperus rotundus* at high density may reduce cucumber yields

Weed interference is the detrimental effects of weed on crop resulting from their interaction with each other. Weeds are considered as the most harmful pest of crops, and their interaction with crops have considerable consequences on the economy, society, and the environment [33]. They limit crop productivity and profitability, alter the ecosystem function and hamper the sustainability of the agricultural system. Yield losses and reduced profitability due to weed interference is considered one of the major problem in cucumber production [10]. Even with advanced technologies, producers record high losses due to weed interference. According to estimates, between 45–95% potential yields of cucumber is lost due to weed interference depending on the type and density of weeds growing in the crop community, duration of weed interference, stage of crop growth at which the interference takes place and the crop variety [4, 22]. Generally, losses due to weed interference in cucumber can either be direct or indirect. Direct losses due to weed interference includes damages caused by weed's allelopathic interaction with cucumber and competition for growth resources such as nutrients, water, light and space [5, 10]. Weed interference affects cucumber production indirectly by sheltering crop pest and diseases, interfering with timeliness and efficiency of harvest, increasing harvest difficulties, reducing fruit quality and consequently increasing the cost of processing [34, 35]. Weeds are potential source for diseases and pest including powdery mildew (*Podosphaera xanthii*), gummy stem blight (*Didymella bryoniae*), fungal root rot (including *Pythium, Rhizoctonia* and *Fusarium*), thrips (Thrips palmi) which may be hosted by a variety of weeds including *Portulaca spp,* 

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99564*

makes it difficult to control in cucumber [20, 30].

**3. Effect of weed interference on cucumber**

*Amaranthus spp*, *Gomphrena celosioides* and white fly [36–39].

as much as 83% [32].

*Weed Interference and Management in Cucumber (*Cucumis sativus *L.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99564*

*Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding*

**Weeds References** *Ipomoea spp* [26] *Ipomea triloba* L. [27] *Jamaica vervain* [27] Laportea aestuans [22] Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauuville [22] Mimosa pudica [22] *Paspalum conjugatum* [22] *Paspalum scrobiculatum* L. [27] *Panicum maximum* Jacq. [22] *Portulaca pilosa* [27] *Portulaca oleracea* [20, 23] *Phyllantus samarus* [22, 23] *Seteria verticillata* [23] *Spigelia anthelmia* L. [23, 27] *Sida acuta* [22] *Solanum carolinense* [24] *Solanum nigrum* [23, 24] *Sonchus oleraceus* [24] *Sorghum halepense* [23], *Starchyptophetae ayenesis* [22] *Talinum triangulare* (Jacq.) Willd. [20] *Tribulus terrestris* L*.* [23] *Tridax procumbens* [22] *Xanthium strumarium* L. [5, 20]

presented in **Table 1**. However, major problematic weeds in cucumber include broadleaved weed species such as members of the families Amaranthaceae (*Amaranthus retroflexus*, *Amaranthus spinosus*, *Amaranthus hybridus, Chenopodium album*)

Asteraceae (*Tridax procumbens*, *Bidens pilosa, Xanthium strumarium, Ambrosia spp*); Euphobiaceae (*Euphorbia heterophylla*, *Euphorbia hirta*); Convolvulaceae (*Ipomoea spp*, *convolvulus arvensis*); Portulacaceae (*Portulaca oleracea, Purtulaca pilosa*); Solanaceae (*Solanum carolinense Solanum nigrum*), grasses weed species of the family Poaceae (*Cynodon dactylon*, *Sorghum halepense, Echinochloa crusgalli, Seteria verticillata, Digitaria spp, Paspalum spp, Panicum maximum*) and sedges of the family Cyperaceae including *Cyperus rotundus,* and *Cyperus esculentus* [24, 27–29]. The major feature of these weed species is their widespread existence and difficulty in management. Annual broad-leaved weeds like *Amaranthus spp, Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, Portulaca oleracea* and *Euphorbia spp* cause serious damage to cucumber due to their rapid spread, production of many seeds, high efficiency in water use and net photosynthesis [4, 5, 24, 27]. Just 1–2 plants of *Amaranthus spp* per square yard growing with cucumber throughout the crop life cycle can reduce yield by 10%, while 5–7 plants of *Amaranthus spp* per square yard can reduce cucumber yield by 50% [5]. The occurrence of many biotypes of this weed specie

**112**

**Table 1.**

*A list of weed flora of cucumber.*

and its resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides also complicates its management [25]. *Chenopodium album* is able to outgrow cucumber and compete with the crop for nutrients, light and moisture. Its rapid growth and establishment rate makes it difficult to control by cultivation [20]. *Solanum nigrum* also grows rapidly and is able to out compete with cucumber vines. It is also capable of hosting pest such as white fly [20, 25]. *Portulaca oleracea* spreads quickly due in part to its large seed it production. It also harbors pest such as caterpillar moths and spread quickly between the crop rows [20]. *Bidens pilosa* is another broad-leaved weed specie with great adaptability and one of the most difficult to control in cucumber [20]. Its main features are: the extensive formation of achenes, high water use efficiency in region of prolonged drought stress and dormancy which facilitates its viability in the soil. *Bidens pilosa* is also resistant to herbicides that inhibit the acetolactate synthase, which further makes it difficult to control in cucumber [20, 30].

Generally, annual weeds are the main problem in cucumber but perennials such as *Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus*, *Sorghum halepense Cynodon dactylon* and *convolvulus arvensis* are also difficult to control and possess considerable problems to cucumber [24, 25, 27, 29]. These weed species remain alive for more than one year in spite of producing seeds in the growing season proceeding the dry season and, therefore cause significant damage to cucumber. They are difficult to control because they have the capacity to survive adverse conditions by forming extensive underground vegetative structures such as rhizomes and stolon [31]. *Cyperus rotundus,* and *Cyperus esculentus* can reproduce sexually and asexually by rhizomes and tubers, and therefore exert significant competition for moisture, carbon dioxide, light and nutrient in addition to their allelopathic effects [31]. Competition and allelopathic effects of *Cyperus rotundus* at high density may reduce cucumber yields as much as 83% [32].
