Maximum transpiration, reference evapotranspiration and leaf area relationships for some mango cultivars.
Oliveira G. X. S., Coelho Filho M. A., Pereira F. A. de C., Coelho E. F., Paz V. P. da S., Castro Neto M. T. de
Author Affiliation: Depto. de Ciências Exatas, ESALQ/USP, 13 418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura 31 : 20-27
Abstract : A study relating the maximum transpiration to reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for four mango cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Haden and Van Dyke, with 14, 8, 33 and 12 m2 leaf area, respectively) was carried out in Cruz da Almas, Bahia, Brazil. The plant transpiration was estimated by heat balance sensors that were installed on the shoots (models SAG 13, SGB9, SGB 16, SGB 19 and 5GB25, Dynamax Inc.). The sensors were installed to the north, south, east, west and centre of each plant. The transpiration per unit leaf area varied by ~1.58 on average along the studied period and varied linearly with the increase in total leaf area, regardless of the studied cultivar. The transpiration varied from 0.36 to 3.00, according to the atmospheric demand. The maximum transpiration (T) of the 4 cultivars linearly related to ETo (T=0.44.ETo; r2=0.78), performing as a reasonable tool for mango crop drip irrigation management.