Evapotranspiration with Plantains and the Effect of Frequency of Irrigation on Yields

Abstract

Evapotranspiration by plantains growing on a heavy Mabi soil (Vertic Eutropepts) averaged 2.9, 2.5 and 2.4 mm daily. Yields were 15,695, 22,215, and 24,225 kg/ha when irrigation was applied whenever available soil moisture was depleted by 20, 40 and 60%, respectively. Overall evapotranspiration for all treatments averaged 68.9% of open pan evaporation. Evapotranspiration in the most frequently irrigated plots averaged 80% and 61% of open pan evaporation during the period of rapid vegetative growth and during the period from flowering to harvest, respectively.