Determination of sorghum evapotranspiration and plant coefficients by using lysimeter methods in Çukurova region

This research was carried out in Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation between 06.04.2018 and 29.08.2018 in order to determine maize evapotranspiration and crop coefficients by using lysimeter method under Çukurova conditions. Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench M81E variety was used in the study. The amount of irrigation water was calculated by using the cumulative evaporation values obtained with Class A pan and irrigation interval changed between was 7-10 days. The comparison of grass water consumption was estimated by using FAO approaches for obtaining plant coefficients. The cumulative actual evapotranspiration value of Sorghum was determined as 613.25 mm by using the weighted lysimeter method. Seasonal reference evapotranspiration value was estimated as 718.24 mm according to FAO-56 Penman Monteith (FAO-56 PM) method. The plant coefficient (kc) values were determined by using FAO-56 PM method as 0.27 for the beginning period, 1.14 for the plant development period and 0.89 for the end of the period. The highest leaf area index (LAI) value of Sorghum was 7.8 and amount of dry matter was determinated as 5311.6 kg/da.