Optimizing Plant Spacing and Mulching for Enhanced Weed Control and Cucumber Yield (Cucumis sativus) under Varied Sowing Conditions
Main Article Content
Janeth Oliver Orji
Martin Ikechukwu Nwufo
Oyibo Patricia Onyewuchi
Cyril Ifeanyi Duruigbo
Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh
Edward Onuawuchi Nze
Alice Nnenna Amanze
Background: Weeds pose a significant challenge to crop farming, particularly in cucumber production in Nigeria. They compete with cucumber plants for essential resources such as water, nutrients, and sunlight, which can lead to reduced crop yields. They harbor insects and disease organisms, serve as alternate host to pests, and compete with crops for nutrients, moisture, light, and space. Weeds cause damage to crops, reduce the yield and quality by competing with the crops, and cause harm to animals that feed on them. The production of cucumber has increased in Nigeria due to its importance, but it is still in short supply because of poor yield, which could be attributed to weed infestation.
Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of spacing and mulching on weed control and fruit quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) at various sowing dates in humid ecology.
Methods: The experiment was carried out using a split-split plot arrangement layout in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments consisted of three factors (time of planting, spacing, and mulching). The main plot was sowing dates (April, May, June, July, August and September), the sub plot was spacing (20cm x 50cm, 40cm x 50cm and 60cm x 50cm), sub-sub plot was mulching (no mulch, black plastic mulch, transparent plastic mulch, wood shaving) all were replicated 3 times.
Result: The sowing date had a significant effect (p<0.05) on weed dry weight at 4 and 6 weeks after emergence. Sowing in April recorded the lowest weed dry weight (0.31g at 4 WAE and 0.79g at 6 WAE) in 2015 and (3.84g at 4 WAE; 3.16g at 6 WAE) in 2016. Cucumbers that were spaced at 20 cm x 50 cm recorded the lowest weed dry weight (8.53g at 4WAE and 4.60g at 6WAE) in 2015 and also in 2016 (10.36g at 4WAE and 5.33g at 6WAE). Black polythene recorded the lowest weed dry weight (2.87g at 4WAE; 1.79g at 6WAE) in 2015 and (2.95g at 4WAE and 1.88g at 6WAE) in 2016.
Conclusion: The study revealed that effective weed control and high fruit quality were achieved by sowing early in April and May at closer spacing, combined with black polythene mulching. These practices recorded the lowest weed dry weight, while early sowing also produced better fruit quality. Therefore, the study recommends sowing early in April and May at closer spacing and using black polythene mulch for optimal cucumber production
Akpan, E. A., & Ikeh, A. O. (2018). Growth and yield response of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties to different spacing in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research, 6(2), 19–27.
Al-Khatib, K., Kadir, S., & Libbey, C. (1995). Broadleaf weed control with clomazone in pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Weed Technology, 9(1), 166–172. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0890037X00023125.
Ansa, J. E. O., & Garjila, Y. A. (2019). Growth and yield response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) to spacing in the southern rainforest of Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(5), 26–29.
Bobby, A., Prashanth, N., Seenivasan, N., & Mishra, P. (2017). Effect of different mulch materials on weeds in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) hybrid "Multistar" under shade net condition. International Journal of Pure and Applied Biosciences, 5(5), 1246–1251.
Daramola, O. S., Adigun, J. A., & Adeyemi, O. R. (2021). Efficacy and economics of integrated weed management in chilli pepper. Journal of Crop Improvement, 35(1), 38–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2020.1795770
Daramola, S. D. (2021). Weed interference and management in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99564
Genstat. (2007). GenStat for Windows, Discovery (3rd ed.). Lawes Agricultural Trust, Rothamsted Experimental Station.
Ikeh, A. O., & Akpan, E. A. (2018). Response of dry season garden egg (Solanum melongena) to watering regime and organic mulching levels in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research, 6(2), 38–46.
Ikeh, A. O., Sampson, H. U., Ukabiala, M. E., Anonaba, N. K., Okamigbo, J. N., & Akuwueze, C. G. (2025). Effect of soil ameliorations on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) yield and soil physico-chemical properties in an ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria. Open Science and Technology, 5(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.33292/ost.vol5no1.2025.146
Ikeh, A. O., Udoh, E. I., & Opara, A. C. (2019). Effect of mulching on weed, fruit yield, and economic returns of garden egg (Solanum melongena) in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Research in Weed Science, 2(1), 52–64. https://doi.org/10.26655/jrweedsci.2019.1
Jenni, S., Brault, D., & Stewart, K. A. (2004). Degradable mulch as an alternative for weed control in lettuce produced on organic soils. Acta Horticulturae, 638, 111–118. https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2004.638.
Mark, S. (2011). Weed management strategies for organic cucurbit crops in the Southern United States. eXtension, American Research-based Learning Network.
Mnzughul, N. S., Esang, D. M., & Ikeh, A. O. (2023). Variability of elite maize (Zea mays L.) varieties at different row spacing in Guinea Savannah Region of Nigeria. Open Global Scientific Journal, 2(2), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.70110/ogsj.v2i2.20
Parmar, H. N., Polara, N. D., & Viradiya, R. R. (2013). Effect of mulching material on growth, yield, and quality of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb) cv. Kiran. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 1(2), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujar.2013.010203
Tarara, J. M. (2000). Microclimate modification with plastic mulch. HortScience, 35(2), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.35.2.169.
Tursun, N., Akinci, M. S., & Uludag, A. (2015). Estimating time of weed emergence in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology, 3(5), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v3i5.271-278.268.
Udoh, D. J., & Ndon, B. A. (2016). Crop production techniques for the tropics. Concept Publication.
Yadav, S., & Devi, S. (2025). Varying intra-row spacing and mulching effect on growth and yield of parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under protected conditions. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 28(8), 234–241. https://doi.org/10.9734/jabb/2025/v28i82700
Yeganehpoor, F., Salmasi, S. Z., Abedi, G., Samadiyan, F., & Beyginiya, V. (2015). Effects of cover crops and weed management on corn yield. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 14(2), 178–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2014.03.002
Janeth Oliver Orji , Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Martin Ikechukwu Nwufo , Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Oyibo Patricia Onyewuchi , Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Cyril Ifeanyi Duruigbo , Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh , Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Edward Onuawuchi Nze , Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
Alice Nnenna Amanze , Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria
NIGERIA
