<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> In the tropics, the water potential of a region cannot be adequately assessed from precipitation alone due to the seasonal character of rainfall and even more so owing to the changing climate scenario. It is therefore necessary that in any agro-climatological program, there must be a clear understanding of the actual amount of water that evaporates and transpires (AET), and the amount of water that would evaporate and transpire if water were always readily available (PET). This could be done through the method of the water balance. The present work examines the water budget of parts of the Imo river basin and its implications for improved crop production through supplementary irrigation schedules. It was observed, that the study area is already facing moisture-stress. This is because even during rainy months supplementary irrigation is required to compensate for the occasionally moisture deficit due to increased evapotranspiration. The study showed that cultivation of maize, rice and tomatoes can be carried out on an all-year round basis under a scientific irrigation scheme. Thus the study provided farmers with guideline on the period and quantity of water required for supplementary irrigation, a development which will prevents wilting of plants before the application of needed water.</p></abstract>

In the tropics, the water potential of a region cannot be adequately assessed from precipitation alone due to the seasonal character of rainfall and even more so owing to the changing climate scenario. It is therefore necessary that in any agro-climatological program, there must be a clear understanding of the actual amount of water that evaporates and transpires (AET), and the amount of water that would evaporate and transpire if water were always readily available (PET). This could be done through the method of the water balance. The present work examines the water budget of parts of the Imo river basin and its implications for improved crop production through supplementary irrigation schedules. It was observed, that the study area is already facing moisture-stress. This is because even during rainy months supplementary irrigation is required to compensate for the occasionally moisture deficit due to increased evapotranspiration. The study showed that cultivation of maize, rice and tomatoes can be carried out on an all-year round basis under a scientific irrigation scheme. Thus the study provided farmers with guideline on the period and quantity of water required for supplementary irrigation, a development which will prevents wilting of plants before the application of needed water.

Irrigation Schedules for Selected Food Crops Using Water Balance Book-Keeping Method

Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Benin, Benin City

Department of Geography and Regional Planning University of Benin, Benin City Phone: +234 8033418529

Environmental Pollution Remediation Unit, National Centre for Energy and Environment, University of Benin, Benin City

Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

In the tropics, the water potential of a region cannot be adequately assessed from precipitation alone due to the seasonal character of rainfall and even more...

Irrigation Schedules for Selected Food Crops Using Water Balance Book-Keeping Method

Published Online: Oct 03, 2014

Page range: 87 - 93

Received: Mar 25, 2014

Accepted: Sep 01, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2014-0012

Keywords
crop production, consumptive use, water balance, supplementary irrigation

© Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Irrigation Schedules for Selected Food Crops Using Water Balance Book-Keeping Method

Published Online: Oct 03, 2014

Page range: 87 - 93

Received: Mar 25, 2014

Accepted: Sep 01, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2014-0012

Keywordscrop production, consumptive use, water balance, supplementary irrigation

© Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
crop production, consumptive use, water balance, supplementary irrigation