Journal of
Soil Science and Environmental Management

  • Abbreviation: J. Soil Sci. Environ. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2391
  • DOI: 10.5897/JSSEM
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 315

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of water requirements of early and late season maize in Umudike southeastern Nigeria, using Penman’s equation

Akinmutimi, A. L
  • Akinmutimi, A. L
  • Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, College of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 20 October 2014
  •  Accepted: 18 February 2015
  •  Published: 25 February 2015

Abstract

The estimation of water requirements of early and late season maize was carried out based on 10 years meteorological data at Umudike, typical of the humid tropical zone using the Penman’s equation. The results obtained showed that the seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETo) value for early season maize (April - July) was 450.66 mm while that of late season (June - September) was 369.72 mm. The irrigation water requirement was zero for early and late season maize. Supplementary irrigation is not necessary for both early and late season maize in Umudike area.

 

Key words: Estimation, water requirements, maize, southeastern Nigeria, Penman’s equation.