Abstract
The knowledge of the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) is fundamental to plan and to manage the irrigation of any crop. The aim of this study was to determine the daily and hourly evapotranspiration of drip irrigated watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus, var. Crimson Sweet) and crop coefficient (Kc) in each crop development phase. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of 1.27 ha of Embrapa Mid-North, localized in Parnaíba (02°54'S, 41°47'W and 46 m above of sea), State of Piauí, Brazil, from September to November, 2006. Electronic weighing lysimeters of 1.5 m x 1.5 m wide and long and 1.0 m deep were used to obtain the evapotranspiration. The plants were drip irrigated with a lateral row per plant row and drippers spaced 0.5 m from each other. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated using the Penman-Monteith equation from the climatic data obtained by electronic sensors. The total evapotranspiration during the watermelon crop cycle cultivated in the state of Piauí was 233.87 mm, with mean values of 3.7 mm day-1, minimum of 1.18 and maximum of 8.14 mm day-1. The Kc of the drip irrigated watermelon was 0.18 in the initial stage of crop growth; 0.18 to 1.3, in crop development stage; 1.3 in the intermediate stage and 0.43 in the final stage.
Highlights
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) constitutes one of the major horticultural crops in Brazil
In the Northeast region, the warm and dry climate provides the yield of excellent quality fruits, and it can be grown all year with the use of irrigation, generating employment and income, especially during the dry season, when the difficulties in this region are more patent (PEDROSA, 1997)
The production of Piauí is still small compared to the harvested area in the Northeast, the good acceptance of the fruits in the local market and the fast development cycle (60 days, on average) when compared to other cultures, have made the watermelon a good alternative for producers of irrigated perimeters (Irrigation District of the Coastal Tablelands of Piauí DITALPI and Guadalupe Plateau Irrigation District), and some irrigated areas of the region of Teresina and Vale do Rio Gurguéia
Summary
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) constitutes one of the major horticultural crops in Brazil. The production of Piauí is still small compared to the harvested area in the Northeast, the good acceptance of the fruits in the local market and the fast development cycle (60 days, on average) when compared to other cultures, have made the watermelon a good alternative for producers of irrigated perimeters (Irrigation District of the Coastal Tablelands of Piauí DITALPI and Guadalupe Plateau Irrigation District), and some irrigated areas of the region of Teresina and Vale do Rio Gurguéia. The dry season, longer, takes approximately eight months, covering the months from May to October. In this period, there is a pronounced soil water deficit. The first areas were irrigated by sprinkler or furrow, but recently, the area under drip has been increased, mainly because it consumes less water and facilitates weed control
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