DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314%2Fstar.v2i3.

98717
ISSN: 2226-7522(Print) and 2305-3327 (Online)
Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal
July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
www.starjournal.org
Copyright@2013 STAR Journal. All Rights Reserved

Original Research

Determination of Water Requirement and Crop Coefficient for Sorghum

(Sorghum bicolor L.) at Melkassa, Ethiopia

Abebe Shenkut1, Kindie Tesfaye2* and Fentaw Abegaz3

1
Debre Tabour University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
2
International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3
Holetta Agricultural Research Ceneter, Holetta, Ethiopia

Abstract Article Information

Knowledge of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), the combined process of evaporation and Article History:
plant transpiration, is important in agriculture for scheduling farm operations and
Received : 05-07-2013
designing and managing irrigation and drainage systems. Development of crop
coefficient (Kc) can enhance crop evapotranspiration (ETc) estimates in specific crop Revised : 18-09-2013
growth stages. However, locally determined Kc information is not available for many Accepted : 26-09-2013
important crops in Ethiopia. This research was, therefore, conducted to determine
growth stage specific Kc and crop water use for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) var. Keywords:
Gambella-1107 at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center which is located in a
semi arid climate zone in Ethiopia. Drainage type lysimeter was used to measure Crop Coefficient
Gambella-1107 crop water use under water balance system on a clay loam soil and Drainage lysimeter
local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo).
Ethiopia
Crop coefficient was developed from measured ETc and ETo calculated using weather
data. The growth stages of the crop were assessed as the seasonal change of plant Evapotranspiration
-1
height (pH), leaf area (LA) and leaf area index (LAI). The yield obtained was 5.3 t ha Sorghum
and the measured LAI were 0.2, 4.2, 4.9 and 1.6 at the initial, development, mid-
season and late season stages, respectively. The maximum LAI was achieved when *Corresponding Author:
the plants reach their maximum height at mid-season stage with high crop
evapotranspiration due to leaf enlargement that increases transpiration. The measured Kindie Tesfaye
ETc values were 53.8, 138.5, 214.4, and 94.0 mm during the initial, development, mid- E-mail:
season and late-season stages, respectively, and the seasonal total value was 500.7 [email protected]
mm. The calculated Kc values for the crop were 0.45, 0.83, 1.18 and 0.78 during the
initial, development, mid-season and late-season stages, respectively. These values Fentaw Abegaz
were greater than those reported in FAO publication for sorghum varieties which could E-mail:
be a result of soil, climate and crop genetic differences. This suggests the need for
developing site-specific Kc values for proper irrigation management. [email protected]

INTRODUCTION
Water is one of the natural renewable resources The hydrological cycle describes the constant
essential for economic and social development. Yet, movement of water above, on and below the Earth's
water resources have been taken for granted as a surface. The cycle operates across all scales, from
free good to be used at will, with little or no regard to the global to the smallest stream catchment (Smith,
the long-term consequences of its mismanagement. 1998) and involves the movement of water along
However, many voices have raised a note of alarm evapotranspiration, precipitation, surface runoff,
for some time now. For example, conferences have subsurface flow, and groundwater pathways.
been held on environmental concerns including Evapotranspiration (ET) is usually the largest
water, and UNESCO is focusing on the looming component of the hydrologic cycle, given that most
crisis of Fresh Water (Abu-Zeid and Hamdy, 2002). precipitation that falls on land is returned to the

An Official International Journal of Wollega University, Ethiopia. 16

Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
atmosphere. Globally, about 60% of annual determined crop coefficient and crop water
precipitation falling over the land surface is requirement is important for proper irrigation
consumed by ET. Quantification of ET is used for scheduling, efficient water management, optimum
many purposes, including crop production, water yield and profit. However, there is a lack of locally
resources management, and environmental determined crop coefficient for sorghum varieties
assessment. In agriculture, accurate quantification used by the producers and hence difficult to
of ET is important for effective and efficient irrigation determine the water requirement of the crops.
management (Irmak, 2009). The ET data for Therefore, this study was conducted to determine
agricultural crops has become increasingly the crop water requirement and develop crop
important in irrigation as well as in water resources coefficient for a sorghum variety at different growth
management. It is dependent not only on the stages.
meteorological elements, but also on factors related
to the crop, soil environment and management MATERIALS AND METHODS
(Abu-Zeid and Hamdy, 2002).
Description of the Experimental Site
Agricultural water users must plan an annual The experiment was conducted at the Melkassa
water budget in semi arid and arid lands and areas Agricultural Research Center (MARC), Central Rift
where water usage is regulated due to ecological Valley of Ethiopia, which is 15 km southeast of
o o
protection programs, limited resources and Nazareth town located at 8 24' N and 39 21' E with
competitive demand (Barrett, 1999). It is reasonable an altitude of 1550 meter above sea level (MoA,
to expect that an improved crop water requirement 2000). The main rainy season for this site is during
estimate may make a substantial change in system the summer from June to September (Kiremt) which
size specifications and profitability. Sustainability of contributes about 69% of its annual rainfall and the
irrigated agriculture both environmentally and second short rainy season (Belg) is from March to
economically depends primarily on the efficiency of May which covers nearly 24%. The third season,
irrigation water, including crop water requirement which is from October to January (Bega), is dry
and delivery and on-farm systems, management of most of the time but contributes around 7% of the
degraded soils and water re-use (Howell, 2001). annual rainfall especially during October and
Therefore, a better management of water in irrigated January for the late cessation of Kiremt and early
agriculture is necessary to enhance crop production onset of Belg seasons, respectively. For the period
while preserving soil and water quality. 1977-2006, the annual average rainfall is 702 mm
and it ranges from 450 to 918 mm. The peak
The semi arid areas in Ethiopia cover 301,500 months are July and August with an average rainfall
square kilometers (km2), which is 27% of the of 157.5 and 161.6 mm, respectively. The long-term
country and represent the crop production zone mean rainfall for the Bega, Belg and Kiremt seasons
suffering from a serious moisture stress (Engida, is 52, 166 and 482.5 mm, respectively. For the
2000). It is in these areas that food insecurity and period 1977-2006, the daily mean maximum and
famine has always been reported (IGAD and FAO, minimum temperatures are 28.5 and 13.8 °C,
1995). Shortage of rainfall is normally reported as respectively. The mean maximum temperature is
the cause of famine in Ethiopia. However, between 30.9 °C during May and 26.2 °C during
supplementary irrigation such as small irrigation and August (Gebru and Abebe, 2011). According to the
water harvesting methods have been undertaken to recent agro-ecological zones classification of
cope with the water stress problem during the crop Ethiopia (MoA, 2000), the Melkassa Hypo Calcic
growing period (maize and sorghum) in Adama and Regosol ecotope falls in the zone termed hot to
Miesso Districts (Degefie et al., 2004 ). Most of warm semi arid lowlands. Loam and clay loam soil
these adaptive measures are undertaken at farm textures are the dominant textural classes (MARC,
level. 1995; Tsion et al., 2009).

Unreliable and poor distribution of rainfall is one Experimental Setup

of the major causes for low yield of sorghum in One drainage type lysimeter located 100 m away
Ethiopia and it is a staple food crop for millions of from the Meteorological Station of the Melkassa
people who live in the dry land areas of the country. Agricultural Research Center was used for the
So, farmers and private sales are now opting for the study. The lysimeter used was rectangular in shape
2
production of this crop under supplemental and/or with 2 m area and effective soil depth of 100 cm
full irrigation. Under such situation, crop specific and additional 100 cm layers, 20 cm rock, 20 cm
water requirement is a key parameter in providing gravel and 20 cm sand pack underneath which
growers with information to select varieties for collects excess water from the upper soil and
production and to determine the timing and quantity discharge it to the drainage collector placed in the
of irrigation events. Availability of experimentally working chamber through a drainage pipe. The

17
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
lysimeter has champers for aeration and drainage were taken at the desired depth. Parallel to the
pipes connected to water collecting tank which is neutron probe measurements, soil samples were
placed in the working area underneath the taken at 15 cm interval up to 105 cm soil depth with
lysimeter. The heights of the lysimeter rims are the same depth of neutron probe readings using an
maintained near the ground level to minimize the auger and soil water at 15 cm soil depth was
boundary layer effect in and around the lysimeter. calculated using the gravimeter method (user
However, the rims of lysimeter were protruded 20 manual). The probe reading in count ratio (rat)
cm above the soil surface so that no surface runoff versus the volume samples data was plotted and
water enters into the lysimeter. entered into an Excel spread sheet, a trend line
2
created with its slope and, displayed its R value.
Soil Sampling and Analysis The coefficients of the linear equation (a and b)
Approximately 200 grams of soil sample was obtained from the fitted curves were used to convert
taken from inside the lysimeter at an interval of 15 neutron probe readings to soil moisture readings in
cm up to 105 cm depth for determination of soil unit of 15 cm depth of water per 15 cm of soil depth.
physical properties like soil texture, bulk density
(BD), field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point Input Data Collection for Water Balance
(PWP). Particle size distribution was determined
using the Bouyoucos hydrometer method. Bulk Soil Moisture Measurement
density was determined by taking undisturbed soil After calibrating the neutron probe, soil moisture
sample from the site using core sampler method. content was monitored daily using the neutron
The water content at FC and PWP were determined probe sensor at an interval of 15 cm to a depth of
by the pressure plate apparatus technique whereas 105 cm through one access tube installed within the
total available water (TAW) was obtained by lysimeter whereas the top 15 cm soil depth was
subtracting PWP from FC (Ryan et al., 2001). measured gravimetrically.

FC − PWP Irrigation Application

TAW = x BD x d (1) Irrigation water was applied to the crop when
100
55% depletion of the available soil moisture
where TAW = Total available water (cm), FC = Field occurred within the crop root zone (Doorenbos and
capacity (%), PWP = Permanent wilting point (%), Kassam, 1979; Allen et al., 1998). This 55%
BD = Bulk density (g cm-3) and d = Depth of root depletion was considered for the effective root zone
zone (cm). of the crop (one meter). Similar irrigation amount at
this depletion was given to the crop inside and
The physical properties of the experimental soil outside the lysimeter to ensure uniform plant
(texture, bulk density, field capacity, permanent growth. The application of irrigation was carried out
wilting point and total available water) are with known volume of buckets by converting the
determined. The soil textural class was clay loam 55% depletion into volume of water. The amount of
within the soil profile considered. The values of FC, applied irrigation water was calculated using the
PWP and TAW were 31.26%, 16.35% and 14.90%, following formula (Brouwer et al., 1985):
respectively, while the average bulk density was
1.13 g cm-3 per meter. V = AxD ( 2)
3
where V = Amount of water to be added (m ), A =
Neutron Probe Calibration Surface area of lysimeter (m2), and D = Depth of
The neutron probe was calibrated based on the application (m).
procedure given in the user manual (Model 503DR
CPN Hydro probe). The instrument allows rapid and Climatic Parameters and Drainage
periodically repeated measurements of volumetric Rainfall, sunshine hours, air temperature, relative
wetness of a soil at different depths. During the humidity and wind speed values were collected daily
calibration of the neutron probe, access tubes, from the Meteorological Station located 100 m away
volume sample, a scale and oven were used. Two from the lysimeter. Drainage was collected from
aluminum access tubes were installed at depth of water tanks that collect water underneath the
105 cm at two points. This was done by digging a lysimeter using graduated buckets.
hole with an auger, and the aluminum access tube
was driven into the hole. Wet and dry points were Crop Planting and Protection
established to obtain wide range of moisture and to Before sowing, the lysimeter was moistened by
make it possible for the probe to read these ranges. pre-irrigation to facilitate early growth and normal
root growth. Eighteen plants of Gambella-1107
Probe readings in the tube in count ratio or rat sorghum variety were sown on 28/05/2011 inside
(count/standard count) unit and volume sampler in the lysimeter. The same variety was sown around
pairs around the tube (within 15 cm of the tube)
18
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
the lysimeter in order to maintain a similar temperature (maximum and minimum), relative
environment. The total plot size of lysimeter inside humidity and wind speed at 2 meter height to
and outside was 5 x 6 m with a net area of 2 x 1 m. calculate ETo using the Penman-Monteith equation
The row and inter row spacing used were 75 and 15 (Allen et al., 1998).
cm, respectively. Recommended doses of 50 kg/ha
Urea (46% N) and 100 kg/ha DAP (46% P2O5 and Determination of the Crop Coefficient
18% N) were applied to the crop at knee height The growing period was divided into four distinct
stage and the time of sowing using row band growth stages: initial, development, mid-season and
placement by hand, respectively. Plants were late-season. The Kc values at each crop stages
protected from sorghum ‘shoot fly’ by applying the were calculated using the following equation (Allen
chemical insecticides of ‘Endosulfan’, by keeping et al., 1998):
fields cleared and frequently monitored. The crop ET
was harvested on 09/10/2011. K = (5)
ET
Agronomic and Yield Data Collection where Kc = Crop coefficient, ETc = Crop
Plant height, leaf area and root length were evapotranspiration (mm day-1) and ETo = Reference
collected. Among the growth parameters plant crop evapotranspiration (mm day-1). The crop and
height and leaf area were measured at each growth reference evapotranspiration, crop coefficient and
stage from five random plants from the plot. Leaf other crop parameters collected were analyzed
area was determined using the methods described using descriptive statistics and mean values are
by Sticker et al. (1961) and Mass et al. (1987) as presented for most of the parameters.
follows:
LA = W x L x 0.75 (3) RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
2
where LA = Leaf area (cm ), W = Maximum leaf Yields
width (cm), L = Leaf length (cm) and 0.75 = The yield obtained was 5.3 tones (t) ha-1. This yield
Correction factor for sorghum. Leaf area index (LAI) level for Gambella-1107 is higher than the reported
-1
was calculated as the ratio of leaf area of the five yield of the same variety (2.5 - 3 t ha ) grown in
sampled plants to the area of land occupied by semi arid areas including Gambella, Yabello, Jijga,
these plants (Diwaker and Oswalt, 1992). Kobo and Shewa Robit (Kidane et al., 2010). A
good yield under irrigation for sorghum is reported
In order to monitor the effective root zone at to be 3.5 to 5 t ha-1using 12 to 15% moisture content
different growth stages, root length was observed (Doorenbos and Kassam, 1979). Gambella-1107
during each growth stages and measured at the end sorghum variety grain yields obtained from on-
of the crop growing season by uprooting sample research field (3 - 5 t ha-1) is substantially higher
plants. The root reached to 105 cm soil depth during than that of on-farm field (2 - 3 t ha-1) (EARO, 2004).
the growing season.The grain yield per plot was The variation of yield obtained in this study with that
measured after harvesting the net plot area and of the reported yield performance is due to location
then the grain yield was adjusted to 12.5% moisture and good water management during the whole
content by electronic moisture tester and converted growth stage of the crop.
it to on hectare basis. In addition to this, 1000 seeds
from the plot was counted by electrical seed counter Crop Growth Parameters
and weighed with electrical sensitive balance. The observed length of crop growth stages
during the trial were found to be 20, 30, 40 and 30
Determination of Crop Evapotranspiration and days for initial, crop development, mid-season and
Reference Evapotranspiration late-season stages, respectively, with a total
The ETc at any given time was calculated using growing period of 120 days. The growth of
the water balance or water budget equation (Khan Gambella-1107 was assessed as the seasonal
et al., 1993; Allen et al., 1998) as: change of plant height, leaf area (LA) and leaf area
ET = I + RF − D ± ∆S (4) index (LAI).

where ETc = Crop evapotranspiration, I = Irrigation The LAI was lowest at initial stage due to small
applied (mm), RF = Rainfall received in the season leaf area (Table 1). The LA and LAI as well as plant
(mm), D = Drainage (mm) and ΔS = Change in soil height increased consistently from initial to the
water (mm). development & mid-season stages. The maximum
LAI was achieved when the plants reach their
The reference evapotranspiration of the site maximum height at mid-season stage with high crop
under consideration for each growth stage of the evapotranspiration due to leaf enlargement that
crop was estimated using CROPWAT 4 windows increases transpiration. At this stage of plant
version 4.2. This program uses sunshine hours, air

19
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
development, LA and LAI started to decrease, LAI was due to the maturity of the crop associated
whereas plant height remained relatively constant with leaf ageing, senescence and dropping of
for the rest of the season. The decrease in LA and leaves.

Table 1: Growth stage wise leaf area, leaf area index, plant height and ETc of Gambella-1107 grown in a
lysimeter at Melkassa.

Growth stage LA (cm2) LAI pH (cm) ET c

Initial 270.0 0.2 25.8 53.8
Development 4740.2 4.2 130.5 138.5
Mid-season 5564.9 4.9 189.0 214.4
Late season 1768.4 1.6 189.0 94.0
LA = Leaf area, LAI = Leaf area index, pH = Plant height and ETc = Crop evapotranspiration

Crop Evapotranspiration received a seasonal total of 76.2 and 610.8 mm of

The decadal and seasonal ETc of sorghum water in the form of irrigation and rainfall,
Gambella-1107 variety and the components of the respectively. However, 177.1 mm of water was lost
water balance are presented in Table 2. The crop from the soil in the form of drainage (Table 2).

Table 2: Decadal values of water balance components and crop evapotranspiration

Ten days water balance components
DAP I (mm) RF (mm) D (mm) ∆S (mm)
10 21.9 7.0 0.0 -0.4
20 23.6 33.5 10.0 -21.9
30 30.7 6.9 0.0 19.7
40 0.0 73.2 24.5 -8.8
50 0.0 42.0 5.5 4.8
60 0.0 62.4 0.0 -0.5
70 0.0 10.6 0.0 41.7
80 0.0 109.3 0.0 -61.3
90 0.0 44.5 17.0 24.7
100 0.0 108.0 35.1 -41.4
110 0.0 92.4 65.3 7.7
120 0.0 21.0 19.8 26.4
Total 76.2 610.8 177.1 -9.2
DAP = Days after planting, I = Irrigation, RF = Rainfall, D = Drainage and ∆S = Change in soil moisture storage.

The decadal ETc values ranged from 25.2 to 61.9 Computation of water requirement based on crop
mm. Higher ETc values were recorded from 30-90 growth stage indicated differential water
days after planting as compared to the values in the requirement of the crop throughout the course of
beginning and end of the crop life cycle. The crop development. The measured ETc values were
fluctuation in ETc throughout the season is expected 53.8, 138.5, 214.4 and 94.0 mm during the initial,
because of changes not only in the crop development, mid-season and late season stages,
development but also daily changes in weather respectively (Table 1). The highest water
parameters such as radiation, humidity, wind speed requirement was recorded at the mid-season stage
and temperature. Crop evapotranspiration increases followed by the development stage while the lowest
with increasing air temperature and solar radiation, was observed at the initial growth stage. The lowest
the two primary drivers of ET (Irmak, 2009). The crop water requirement at the initial stage is mainly
total water requirement of the studied sorghum due to the low crop leaf area development (Table 1)
variety was found to be 500.7 mm (Table 1). This with a low transpiration capacity. On the other hand,
total ETc of the variety considered in this study was the rapid reduction in ETc in the late season stage
within the range of previous reports such as 450 - was due to the physiological deterioration of leaves
650 mm (Doorenbos and Kassam, 1979) and 491 - because of aging. The period of maturity coincides
533 mm (Piccinni et al., 2006) while exceeds the with the period of less water demand because of
range (210 - 293 mm) reported by Sheng-Feng et drying of leaves and minimum leaf area available for
al. (2006). transpiration (Kassam et al., 1975).

20
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
Reference Evapotranspiration 1). There was a decrease in ETo from the initial to
The ETo attained its maximum during the initial the end of the late season stage with fluctuating
crop growth stage which could be attributed to the trend which was attributed to the variability of
high evaporative demand of the atmosphere (Figure climatologically factors during the growing season.

Figure 1: Decadal crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of Gambella-1107 and reference evapotranspiration (ETo)
as a function of days after planting for the crop at Melkassa.

Moreover, the ETc exceeded ETo from 60 - 90 season. The shape of the curve represents the
days after planting which coincided with the mid- changes in the vegetation and ground cover during
season stage of the crop demand for high water use plant development and maturation that affect the
due to flowering, grains formation and filling. The ratio of ETc to ETo. The decadal Kc increased from
rapid decrease in ETc from the end of mid-season to the initial to development stages while reached its
late season stage (Figure 1) was due to leaf highest and relatively remained constant at the mid-
senescence and to the completion of grain season stage (Figure 2). The Kc declined rapidly
formation and filling thereby limiting transpiration. during the late season stage. Higher Kc values were
The crop water use declined from the mid-season to recorded from 60-90 days after planting as
the late season stage which is attributed to the compared to the values in the beginning and end of
cessation of leaf growth and a corresponding the crop life cycle. The maximum Kc value was 1.35
decrease in water demand (Allen et al., 1998). at 60 days after planting for the reason that low
evaporative demand of the atmosphere (ETo) and
Crop Coefficient rainfall that increases ETc.
The curve presented in Figure 2 represents the
changes in the Kc over the length of the growing
1.60
1.40
1.20
1.00
Kc

0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
0 50 100 150
Days after planting

Figure 2: Decadal course of crop coefficients (Kc) for Gambella-1107 grown in a lysimeter at Melkassa.

21
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
It can be observed that there was high variation changes in crop development (Table 3). The Kc
in Kc values among stages (Table 3). This is value ranged from 0.45 at the initial growth stage to
because the Kc values change very rapidly with the 1.18 at the mid-season stage.

Table 3: Stage wise crop coefficient (Kc) values during the growing season.
Initial Development Mid-season Late season
Kc 0.45 0.83 1.18 0.78
FAO Kc 0.40 0.70 – 0.75 1.0 – 1.15 0.75 – 0.80
Kc = Crop Coefficient and FAO = Food and Agricultural Organization.

The Kc values initially were higher (Table 3) due season stages, respectively, for sorghum variety
to a high evaporation from the wetted topsoil in a grown in lysimeter. The variation of Kc values in this
semi arid environment. The arid and semi arid study with that of FAO and others could be due to
zones have long hours of bright sunshine which the growing season, climate, crop variety, and soil
leads to high radiation incidence leading to higher differences. In support of this, Simon et al. (1998)
ET rate (Indinoba et al., 2008). During the initial reported seasonal differences in Kc of maize in
period, the leaf area is small, and ET is Trinidad showing higher Kc values (1.13 to 1.41) in
predominately in the form of soil evaporation. the wet season and lower values (0.73 to 0.94) in
Consequently, the advancement of Kc values the dry season.
reflected the effects of crop growth, development
and physiology on ETc (Allen et al., 1998). The CONCLUSIONS
increase in Kc values from the initial stage up to the
mid-season stage was due to increases in leaf area In finally, the ETc and Kc of Gambella-1107
and plant height (Table 1). The Kc values increased variety was evaluated at each growth stages for
radically as the crop developed and covered the Melkassa and areas which have similar climate and
ground very effectively. Hence, the amount of water soil characters. The values of ETc and Kc obtained
extraction increased with plant growth which in turn at Melkassa can be used for further studies related
increased the ETc. the rate of which is at the to water management like deficit irrigation and
maximum level when the plant is fully developed erratic rainfall for those areas with similar climate
(Irmak, 2009). and soil conditions. Since ETc and Kc are a function
of crop characteristics, irrigation water
The Kc values declined from the mid-season management, climate conditions, local and
stage to the late season stage (Figure 3). This was agricultural practices, it should be localized and this
accounted for the leaf aging and senescence. result can be used for appropriate irrigation
Senescence is usually associated with less efficient planning, to have accurate irrigation schedule, for
stomatal conductance (Miderios et al., 2001) and deficit irrigation and hydrologic water studies.
decreased leaf surface (Villabos et al., 2004) due to
the effects of aging which restricts transpiration According to the study, it was shown that
causing a reduction in Kc (Allen et al., 1998). estimates of crop water requirement made with
locally determined crop coefficients differ from
The sorghum Kc values obtained in this estimates of FAO publications and others. This
experiment were higher in the first three consecutive emphasizes the strong need for local calibration of
crop growth stages from the range of those Kc for each crop variety. The results of ETc and Kc
recommended by FAO while at the late season show to be somewhat dependent on, crop variety,
stage it was within the range of the values reported climate, location and growing season. The studied
in FAO publications (Table 3). For sorghum, Allen et variety, Kc values obtained at Melkassa can be
al. (1998) reported Kc values between 1.0 - 1.10 at beneficial to areas with similar soil type, climate,
the mid-season and 0.55 at the late season stages. and location as that of Melkassa.
Bashir et al. (2006) the estimated Kc values at the
initial, the development, the mid-season and the late ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
season stages were 0.62, 0.85, 1.15 and 0.48, The author would like to express his appreciation
respectively. Piccinni et al. (2006) who worked on and deepest gratitude to his Major Advisor, Dr.
sorghum in lysimeter obtained Kc values of 0.40 at Kindie Tesfaye, and Co-advisor, Dr. Fentaw
the initial, 0.80 at the mid-season and 0.75 at the Abegaz, for all their sincere, faithful, immense
late season stages. Sheng-Feng et al. (2006) devotion, supervision, constructive comments,
reported Kc values of 0.44, 0.71, 0.87 and 0.62 at endless support. He would also like to thank Dr.
the initial, development, mid-season and late Tilahun Hordofa, his instructor, for his sincere,
22
Abebe Shenkut et al., Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., July-Sep 2013, 2(3): 16-24
faithful, immense devotion, support, helpful Degefie Tibebe., Abebe Tadege., Kidane Giorgis (2004).
guidance, supervision and encouragement. The Estimating crop water use and simulating yield
author would also like to express his deepest reduction for maize and sorghum in Adama and
Miesso districts using the CROPWAT Model.
gratitude to Ministry of Education for financing all his
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis
study and research costs. The author is deeply Ababa, Ethiopia. Available at. http://www.ceepa.co.za
grateful to the University of Choice, Haramaya /docs/CDPNo31.pdf. Accessed November 19, 2011.
University, Ethiopia, for accessing all the school
materials like Internet and computer pool. His Diwaker, B., Oswalt, D.L. (1992). Research Planning and
special thanks are extended to staff of Melkassa Data Handling. ICRISAT (International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). Andhra
Agricultural Research Center specially soil and
Pradesh, India. Pp.89.
water conservation case team colleagues for
providing him material support and experienced Doorenbos, J., Kassam, A.H. (1979). FAO (Food and
guidance for the success of this study. The author Agriculture Organization) irrigation and drainage No.
also happy to express his special gratitude to Mr. 33.Yield response to water, Rome, Italy. Draft
document
Dereje Ayalneh and Mohamed, who helped him in
Laboratory analysis on the physical properties of Doorenbos, J., Pruitt, W.O. (1977). FAO (Food and
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