Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of creole cucumber under a drip irrigation system in Corozal (Department of Sucre, Colombia). Methods: The water requirement was determined using the gravimetric method; evapotranspiration was determined by water balance equation and climate record (evaporimeter); the crop coefficient (Kc) was calculated with the equation that relates crop Evapotranspiration (ETc) and reference Evapotranspiration (ETo). The experimental layout of the study was a split-plot design with 2 treatments and 3 replications. Treatment 1 (T1) consisted in the application of daily irrigation and Treatment 2 (T2) in the application of a sheet accumulated every three days. Findings: The evapotranspiration by water balance were 3.17 (T1) and 2.93 mm/day (T2); and by climate record was 2.14 mm/day. The crop coefficient for water balance was 0.89 and 0.87, respectively in each treatment. The total water applied was 78.52 l/plant for each treatment; the average yields were 20.26 and 20.24 t/ha for treatments 1 and 2 respectively. Application: The evapotranspiration and crop yield did not show significant differences between the irrigation treatments. The technology of drip irrigation allowed a frequent application of small amounts of water that approach the rate of absorption of water by the crop, becoming an effective option to improve the nutritional regimen and life of the region.

Keywords: Cucumber, Crop Coefficient, Evapotranspiration, Water Requirements, Yield