Determination of evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh for domestication and conservation on uplands

Abstract

Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh is a fruit tree native to the Amazon with great potential due to its nutraceutical properties; thus, ex situ adaptation technologies should be developed. The objective of this study was to determine the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) of Myrciaria dubia for domestication and conservation on uplands. Two Myrciaria dubia plants of 2, 4, and 6 years old with similar morphological characteristics of height, number of branches (basal and terminal), and diameter (stem and canopy) were transplanted into drainage lysimeters. Residue of organic mulching composed of a native grass (Trachypogon plumosus) was applied once to one plant of each age category. The mean ETc values for 2-, 4-, and 6-year-old plants in the presence and absence of mulch were 2- and 2.7-mm∙day-1, 3.2- and 3.9-mm∙day-1, and 6.1- and 7.2-mm∙day-1, respectively. The mean Kc values in the EI, EII, and EIII phenological stages with and without mulch were 0.4 and 0.6, 0.6 and 0.8, and 1.1 and 1.3, respectively. The ETc and Kc values for Myrciaria dubia plants with organic mulching can be used in irrigation planning for cultivation, domestication, conservation, and efficient use of water resources in tropical savannas of Roraima, Brazil.