Actual Crop Evapotranspiration and Alfalfa- and Grass-Reference Crop Coefficients of Maize under Full and Limited Irrigation and Rainfed Conditions

AbstractThe evapotranspiration crop coefficients (Kc) that are used to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ETa) using a two-step approach (i.e., Kc×reference ET) for limited irrigated and rainfed maize are extremely rare. The effects of full and limited irrigation and rainfed practices on maize ETa and soil water dynamics were quantified. Grass- and alfalfa-based crop coefficients (Kco and Kcr) were developed for full- and limited-irrigation settings as well as for rainfed conditions. Four irrigation regimes [fully irrigated treatment (FIT), 75% FIT, 60% FIT, 50% FIT] and rainfed treatments were implemented. In general, depletion in available soil water increased with the decrease in irrigation regime from FIT to rainfed treatment. Maize ETa increased with irrigation amounts and ranged from 481 mm for the rainfed treatment to 620 mm for the FIT in 2009 and from 579 to 634 mm for the same treatments, respectively, in 2010. Reduction in seasonal ETa relative to FIT were 22, 9, 7, and 2% for the rainfed, 50%...

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