Determination of the Water Requirement and Kc Values of Sugarcane at Different Crop Growth Stages by Lysimetric Method

Abstract

The water requirement of sugarcane was studied in a lysimeter set up at the Sugarcane Research and Seed Farm, Pyinmana, Mandalay Division, Myanmar. Sugarcane variety Phil 74/64 and grass (locally called Wun be sa; Echinochloa colona L.) were used. Daily crop water uptakes for both cane and grass were recorded from the lysimeter and the crop coefficient (Kc value) was re-derived. Sugarcane crop evapotranspiration or crop water uptake was also determined using the Penman–Monteith (FAO) method from daily weather data gathered from the nearby agrometerological station. The total sugarcane water consumption in the lysimeter study was 1369.84 mm year−1 and the average sugarcane yield was 173.29 t ha−1. Water use efficiency in the lysimeter study was 12.65 t cane ML−1 (0.13 t mm−1). The locally determined Kc values were 0.53, 0.81, 1.25, and 1.27 for initial, development, mid and late sugarcane growth stages, respectively.