Determination of Crop Coefficient of Okra Crop Using Lysimeter for Semi-arid Climatic Condition of Parbhani, Maharashtra

Abstract

Water being a limited resource, its judicious and efficient uses for irrigation is important, especially in summer seasons to meet challenges of water scarcity. Summer okra is an important vegetable crop of India, which requires timely irrigation to achieve higher production. Information on crop coefficient (KC) of okra crop is vital for proper irrigation scheduling. A field experiment was conducted using weighing-type lysimeter at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, in Marathwada region (semi-arid climatic condition) of Maharashtra, India, during the summer of 2022. Crop coefficient values for okra crop ranged from 0.61 to 1.41 upto 70 days after dibbling, and then declined to 0.64. The peak value of Kc was 1.41 in the 10th week after dibbling of seeds. The mean value of Kc for initial, development, mid, and late stages were 0.64, 1.07, 1.33, and 0.86, respectively. Estimated Kc values would help in better estimation of irrigation water requirement, proper planning, and utilisation of water resources in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state.