Development of crop coefficient of drip irrigated banana for semi-arid region

A field experiment was conducted during 2020-2023 in the experimental plots of Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, to estimate crop water requirement of bananas (Variety: Kadhali and Red Banana) irrigated through drip irrigation system based on soil moisture availability. Water requirements include evapotranspiration of crops and losses of water from fields. Evapotranspiration is the quantity of water transpired by plants during their growth, plus moisture evaporated from the surface of the soil and the vegetation. The reference evapotranspiration was estimated from the weather parameters. Crop evapotranspiration was estimated using the soil water balance method. Tensiometers were installed at different root zone depths (0-30 cm and 30-45 cm depth) of the banana crop to measure the soil moisture tension. The soil moisture characteristics curve of the research field was estimated. Irrigation was scheduled based on the readings observed in the tensiometer. The irrigation scheduling/interval was estimated as 2 to 3 days during the crop period based on soil moisture availability. The water consumed for different crop growth stages was estimated. The total irrigation water requirement for the kadhali and red bananas was 1224 mm and 1448 mm, respectively.