The objective of this work was to estimate the evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of papaya (Carica papaya L.), variety "Sunrise Solo", planted in a 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 3.5 m spacing, with one irrigation line of micro-sprinklers for two plant lines, with one emitter operating for four plants. The crop evapotranspiration was evaluated by using the water balance method, in 0.60 m depth soil volume. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was determined using both lysimeter data and Penman-Monteith FAO method. Meteorological data were obtained from Embrapa's Weather Station placed near the experimental plots. Results revealed a mean crop evapotranspiration rate of 3.3 mm day-1, being 2.2 for the vegetative stage (1); 3.2 for the flowering/frutification stage (2), and 4.3 mm day-1 for the flowering/frutification/maturation stage (3). The crop coefficient values (Kc) obtained through ETc/ETo ratio were higher when ETo was measured in comparison with those estimated by Penman-Monteith FAO method. The former method showed values of 0.64; 1.16, and 1.19, while for the Penman-Monteith FAO method the values were 0.54, 0.87 and 0.91, for the stages 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
Carica papaya L.; tensiometer; hydraulic conductivity
