Effect of Weed Growth on the Incidence of Sucking Pests in Cucumber

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in Fayoum Governorate to evaluate the impact of weeds growing in cucumber fields on the incidence of sucking pests viz., Aphis gossypii (Glover), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Nezara viridula (L.), Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Empoasca decedens (Paoli) and Empoasca decipiens (Paoli) during 2018 and 2019 Neglected cucumber fields, with a high density of weeds, were observed to harbour more pests 57.7 and 55.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the cucumber free-weedy field hosted the lowest rate of occurrence for all insect pests represented by 42.3 and 44.1%, respectively. Neglected fields with abundant weeds provide a favourable habitat, leading to increased incidence. Understanding the relationship between weeds and pests is crucial for developing effective IPM strategies in cucumber.