**8. Integrated weed management in cucumber**

Integrated weed management is the major component of a sustainable cucumber farming. Considering the diversity of weed problem, no single method, whether physical, mechanical or chemical can provide the desired level of efficiency under all situation [19]. Hence, cucumber growers should focus on adopting integrated weed management system to widen weed control spectrum and efficiency in a sustainable, economical, and environmental manner. Integrated weed management involves coordinated use of multiple tactics for optimizing the control of all classes of weed in an ecological and economical sound manner [43]. These tactics can be direct weed control through physical (manual and mechanical tillage/land

preparation), chemical and biological means [6]. It could also be indirect control through cultural or agronomic practices such as planting pattern, fertilization timing and placement method, sowing time, row spacing, seed rate, crop cultivar type, intercropping and cover crops [7]. These methods can influence either weed density (i.e. the number of individuals per unit area) and/or weed development (biomass production and soil cover). It is always recommended to use all available options in combination to achieve better control of weeds.
