Utilization of agrometeorological data for water management of drip irrigated cantaloupe

Abstract

IRRI-CANT is a computer tool developed by the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC) aiming at estimating the daily irrigation requirements and irrigation intervals for a given growing season of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo cv. Reticulata L.). The main screen is divided into five retrievable items in either English or Arabic. These items include plant, soil, evapotranspiration, irrigation system and communication. Plant data include variety, plant age and root depth. The output data include cantaloupe water requirement in terms of quantity and interval based on plant age and the other inputs. The potential evapotranspiration (ETo) is calculated using the following two sources: - 1- Historical data related to the location and the farm area. 2- Last year data related to the nearest weather station. Evapotranspiration is also calculated using the following four different equations according to the availability of weather parameters 1- Penman monteith 2- Blany-Criddle 3- Pan evaporation 4- Linacre The program also includes an option to calculate soil field capacity, permanent wilting point, and maximum amount of water that could be given to fill the soil down to a given root depth based on the soil type.