Evapotranspiration of two Gerbera jamesonii
cultivars in soilless culture.
The commercial production of gerbera cut flower
occupies a relevant position worldwide. In Argentina,
the area of growing under greenhouse is actually
increasing and is not able to match the market
demand. The introduction of new techniques of irrigation
which are being carried out by growers need
the knowledge of the water needs of the crops so that
the system may result efficient. The object of this
work was to characterize the water consumption of
two cultivars of gerbera in soilless growing through
the adjustment of common practice modeling, in the
city of Buenos Aires and surroundings for spring season.
It was evaluated the water consumption through
drainage trays in order to determine the coefficient
of the crop (Kc) for each of the model employed. It
was also characterized the greenhouse environment
to find the potential evapotranspiration in that situation,
using common practice model, and it was selected
the ratio between Eto and Kc which can determine
the Etc which better suits the measured consumption.
Significant differences were not detected
between Etc and Eto calculated by the Penman-
Monteith modified by FAO. On the contrary, significant
differences were detected using the Blaney-
Criddle method and also between the Etc of the two
tested varieties. The estimation method of Etc which
better suited greenhouse conditions for the measured
water consumption was the method of Penman-
Monteith modified by FAO.