Growth-stage-specific crop coefficient and consumptive use of Capsicum chinense using hydraulic weighing lysimeter

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine growth stage-specific crop coefficient (Kc) and Consumptive Use (CU), for Capsicum chinense (Ata rodo) grown under irrigation in Omu-Aran, North central Nigeria. Daily CU and growth stagespecific crop coefficient Kc for Capsicum chinense was measured using a developed and calibrated hydraulic weighing lysimeter over 2 consecutive dry seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17). The values of CU and growth stage-specific Kc obtained were compared to that estimated using CROPWAT 8.0 and with existing Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Kc values for bell pepper. The Kc values determined over the growing seasons varied from 0.32 to 0.7, 1.02 to 1.45 and 0.76 to 0.9 representing Kc initial, Kc mid-season and Kc late season (Kc ini , Kc mid and Kc end), respectively. These Kc varied significantly (P < 0.05) from FAO established Kc values. The observed Kc was validated using relevant statistical methods. The seasonal CU of Capsicum chinense was 580.01 ± 54 mm, while the reference evapotranspiration increased from 3.26 mm day −1 in October to 4.19 mm day −1 in February. The crop factor increased from 0.7 in October to attain its peak of 1.45 in January, but decreased to 0.9 during crop senescence in February. Likewise, the daily crop water need was 2.28 mm day −1 in October but reached its peak of 5.82 mm day −1 in January and thereafter decreased to 3.77 mm day −1 in February. Mean monthly water need of Capsicum chinense pepper was 68.36 mm month −1 in October. The water need of crop rose to its peak of 166.32 mm month −1 in December, and thereafter declined to 113.13 mm month −1 in February It is inferred that the application of growth stage-specific Kc will assist in irrigation management and would serve as useful guide for precise water applications for areas around Omu-Aran as it differs from region to region.

Assessment of the impact of abattoir effluent on the quality of groundwater in a residential area of Omu-Aran, Nigeria

“…Omu-Aran is situated in the southern part of Kwara State, Nigeria. It is located at latitude 8°8′00″N, longitude 5°6′00″E and altitude 564 m above mean sea level [8]. Omu-Aran has a population of 148,610 according to the 2006 census on a land area of 73.7 km 2 [9].…”

Quantitative assessment of the dynamics and attribution of arable land water scarcity for arid and semiarid areas based on water footprint framework: the Inner Mongolia case

“…The CROPWAT 8.0 software was developed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Raphael et al 2018). The software can calculate crop water demand and irrigation based on existing or new climate and crop data.…”

Field Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Drip Irrigation System Installed in the Upper West Region of Ghana

“…Drip irrigation system is becoming popular in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its ease of adoption and construction from local materials [6]. There is an urgent need to increase water productivity and water application efficiency due to the continuous increase in population, increase in demand for vegetables and increased pressure on land available for agriculture coupled with the overwhelming effect of climate change [7]. There is the need to appropriately dispense and manage water as a scarce resource through the use of a well-managed water-saving irrigation system.…”