Stand Differences in No-Till and Plasticulture Direct Seeded and Transplanted Cucumbers (Cucumis Sativus L.)

Weed Management Systems for No-Tillage Vegetable Production

“…Although cucumber will provide some weed suppressive ability once it forms a vine across the soil surface, other weed control measures are generally necessary to achieve adequate weed control. The use of clomazone and ethalfluralin does not provide consistent satisfactory weed control in NT cucumber culture (Ogutu & Caldwell 1999, Walters et al 2007). The PRE herbicide mixture of clomazone + ethalfluralin + halosulfuron provides both broadleaf and grass weed control and high cucumber yields in a NT production system when used in combination with a winter rye cover crop (Walters et al 2007).…”

“…Weston (1990) found that cucumber, similar to most other cucurbits, was easy to establish in NT culture. Ogutu & Caldwell (1999) found that the use of cucumber transplants provided more biomass accumulation at 3 weeks after planting in NT resulting in higher early yields due to earlier flowering and fruit set than those that were direct seeded. Furthermore, although pickling cucumber leaf number, leaf area index and vine growth were reduced by NT, no reduction in total yield was observed compared to CT; and, the reduced vegetative growth in NT may actually be an advantage for the mechanical harvesting of this crop (Lonsbary et al 2004).…”