Estimation of Potential Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient of Maize at Rupandehi District of Nepal

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the potential evapotranspiration(PET) of maize, the crop coefficient (Kc)under full water requirement as well as the cause of decrease inmaize yield. It was determined that the seasonal PET of maizeis about 486.6 mm. The Kc under full water supply was foundto be: 0.11, 0.35, 1.51 and 0.34 for initial, development, midseasonand the late season stages respectively. The study alsorevealed that maintenance of sufficient moisture need of maizehas a significant effect on growth, development and fruiting ofthe crop.

Keywords

• Maize
• Lysimeter
• Potential evapotranspiration
• Crop coefficient
• Aridity index
• Nepal