Determinación del coeficiente kc en el cultivo de melón (Cucumis melo l.) Var. Cantalupensis, mediante el método de lisímetro bajo dos condiciones de manejo

Abstract

The aim of the research was the determination of the Kc coefficient in the melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) var. cantalupensis using the lysimeter method under two management conditions (low level and above level greenhouse), an experimental design was not used, for the comparison of the two types of greenhouses a T-test (Student) was used, biometric data such as days to harvest, yield in Kg/ha were taken, finally the blue water footprint was calculated, for the calculation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were obtained by calculating the inlet and outlet volume divided by the area of each lysimeter, to calculate the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was based on the methodology proposed by Brouwer and Heibloem (FAO), and finally obtained the ETc and ETo the crop coefficient (Kc) was calculated according to the phenological stages that the crop presented. Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) were obtained by calculating the input and output volume divided by the area of each lysimeter. The Kc obtained in the melon crop in the below-ground greenhouse was: initial stage 0.23; development 0.55; mean 0.91 and final 0.72, while the above-ground greenhouse was: initial stage 0.18; development 0.53; mean 0.90 and final 0.72. It is recommended that Kc values are useful as a general guide but local Kc should be calculated as these may vary due to the effects of climate, crop type and cultivation practices, which would lead to an underestimation or overestimation in terms of water demands.