A replacement series study was conducted to describe the aggressivity between cucumber, smooth pigweed, and livid amaranth. Cucumber was three times more competitive than smooth pigweed or livid amaranth, under the conditions of this study. However, there was equal competition and no antagonism between smooth pigweed and livid amaranth. Where cucumbers were planted in mixture with either of the two weeds, the relative yield total values were approximately 10 to 20% higher than the monocultures. Cucumber was a superior competitor when grown in mixture with smooth pigweed or livid amaranth, and the following aggressivity hierarchy exists: cucumber > livid amaranth = smooth pigweed. Results from the additive field study indicated that amaranth dry weights were significantly affected by smooth pigweed and livid amaranth density. Dry weight of amaranth was decreased by 48% at Gainesville and 25% at Live Oak, at 18 plants/m2. Despite differences between the Gainesville and Live Oak results, the dry weight data were similar for both smooth pigweed and livid amaranth at each location.
Nomenclature: livid amaranth, Amaranthus lividus L. #3 AMALI, smooth pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus L. # AMACH, cucumber, Cucumis sativus L.
Additional index words: Weed competition, additive study, replacement study.
Abbreviations: RY, relative yield; RYT, relative yield total; AG, aggressivity; DAT, days after transplanting.
