Determination of Crop Coefficient for Capsicum (Capsicum annumm L.) in Eastern Himalayan Region through Field Lysimeter

Abstract

A Crop coefficient (k c) was determined for Capsicum annumm L. (hot pepper) with the help of UMS-GmBH cylindrical field lysimeter of 30 cm diameter and 120 cm deep and Penman-Monteith FAO-56 model. Penman-Monteith model is the universally adopted standard model for estimation of reference evapo-transpiration (ET 0) based on local weather parameters. Eight other models viz. Modified Penman Method, Hargreaves equation, Samini Hargreaves equation, Thorthwaite equation, Solar Radiation Method, Net Radiation Method, Blaney-Criddle Method and Radiation Method were also used for estimation of ET 0 and compared with Penman-Monteith model to find out the accuracy of prediction with limited weather parameters. Scatter plot and paired t-test were used for comparison. Out of all these models, Blaney-Criddle Method was found to yield similar results as given by Penman-Monteith model. The values of crop evapo-transpiration (ET c) were varying from 1.11 mm d-1 to 3.12 mm d-1. k c is the ratio of ET c to ET 0. The highest kc value was obtained during the maximum vegetative growth in 8th week after transplantation. The crop-coefficients for three growth stages viz. initial, mid and maturity were found to be 0.33, 0.64 and 0.30, respectively.

Effects of plant spacing on evapotranspiration for estimating crop coefficient of Japonica rice

“…The crop coefficient (Kc) represents the physical and physiological qualities of the crop under investigation in comparison to the reference crop, such as ground cover, canopy attributes, aerodynamic resistance [53], leaf area, plant height, crop characteristics, irrigation system, rate of crop development, crop planting date, soil, and climate conditions, and field management processes [22][23] [24] [25]. Kc values vary throughout the crop's growth stages, with lower values during the initial stage, increased values during the mid-season, and a decline at the late season stages [23][24] [25]. The length of each growth stage depends on various factors such as crop type, planting date, climatical conditions, cultural practices etc [22].…”