Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus E. Meyer Ex. Naudin) response to weed management practice and planting time in Eastern Slavonia

Seed germination, growth, flowering and yields of kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus E. Meyer Ex. Naudin) were examined in eastern Slavonia during 2021 growing season. The objective this study was to determine agro-morphological diversity within under different weed management practices sowing time. experiment arranged as a 3 x factorial design with three replications. Factors included options (wheat straw mulch, cultivation un-weeded control) planting dates (early, mid late May). A typical summer community that develops dominated bristly foxtail (Setaria verticilata (L.) P. Beauv.) redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) while the others lower relative density frequency per unit area impact on crop. Weed control very effective compared weedy check. However, date appears critical factor production, influencing not only emergence, growth flowering, but also fruit number size. This concluded time measure has highest agronomic potential for production following by early mulch measure.