G. F. A. Rios

Consumo hídrico e coeficiente de cultura da mamoneira na microrregião de Lavras, Minas Gerais

The study was carried out in order to evaluate the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) of castor bean by drip irrigation system, under the climatic conditions of Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 01/24 to 08/30/2008. The ETc was determined by the energy balance according to the Bowen ratio method and Kc by the methods and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper, from 02/14 to 06/03/2008, corresponding to phases I (growth), II (vegetative), III (fruiting) and IV (maturity). For this purpose, in the center of the experimental area, the sensors were installed to measure the temperature and relative humidity, at two levels above the crop canopy; the net radiation (Rn) and the soil heat flux (G) at 0.08 m under the soil surface. The average ETc values in phases I, II and III were 2.48, 2.68 and 3.04 mm d-1, respectively. The respective Kc in these phases were 0.27, 0.46, 0.87 and 0.57 in maturity phase, within the limits and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper.

Manejo de irrigação para o feijão-de-metro, nas fases vegetativa e produtiva, em ambiente protegido

Proper irrigation water management requires knowledge on each exploited crop; particularly regarding vegetative and productive phases since many species have critical periods during which water stress causes serious yield reductions. This study was undertaken so as to assess the effect of five matric potential levels on asparagus bean growth and yield. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions at the experimental area of Department of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 5 x 2. The treatments consisted of five matric potentials as indicative of the irrigation scheduling -15 -35 -55 -75 -95 kPa and at two phenological stages (vegetative and reproductive) as monitored by sensors installed at 0.15 m depth. The results allowed to conclude that the most sensitive phase to water deficit was the productive, and that irrigation held at matric potential around -15 kPa led to better crop response in the development, production and quality of pods.