Effectiveness of the Primextra Gold in controlling weeds of Cucumber (<i>Cucumis Sativus L.</i>)

Abstract

The efficacy of Primextra Gold herbicide in controlling weeds in cucumber was evaluated in this research. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Seven weed control treatments – 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 kg a.i/pot – were applied pre-emergent for this study. The dry weight, height of plant, number of green leaves, weed control efficiency, weed persistence index, crop phytotoxicity rating, weed destruction rating, weed count (total number of weeds), weed flora and classification were used to determine the herbicide efficacy and crop safety. Results show that the effects of the treatments were mostly significant; all the treatments caused over 50% injury to the cucumber at all stages except at 7 Days After Treatment. At the end of the experiment, results show that the treatments were highly toxic as they caused up to 100% injury to the cucumber preventing height, dry weight or leaf number measurements to be taken except in pots which received 0.25kg a.i/pot of the herbicide and the control. Weed destruction ratings was over 50% for all of the treatments and at all stages, except for 0.25kg a.i/pot at 21 and 28 DAT. Weed density and dry weight were significantly reduced by the treatments. WCE% recorded was over 50% while WPI was zero (0) for all treatments except 0.25kg a.i/pot. Common weeds observed include Oldelandria corymbosa and Digitario sp.

Keywords:  Weed control efficiency, weed persistence index, crop phytotoxicity rating, weed destruction rating and weed count