The study was carried out in order to evaluate the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) of castor bean by drip irrigation system, under the climatic conditions of Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 01/24 to 08/30/2008. The ETc was determined by the energy balance according to the Bowen ratio method and Kc by the methods and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper, from 02/14 to 06/03/2008, corresponding to phases I (growth), II (vegetative), III (fruiting) and IV (maturity). For this purpose, in the center of the experimental area, the sensors were installed to measure the temperature and relative humidity, at two levels above the crop canopy; the net radiation (Rn) and the soil heat flux (G) at 0.08 m under the soil surface. The average ETc values in phases I, II and III were 2.48, 2.68 and 3.04 mm d-1, respectively. The respective Kc in these phases were 0.27, 0.46, 0.87 and 0.57 in maturity phase, within the limits and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper.
Ricinus communis L.; latent heat flux; drip irrigation; Bowen ratio; energy balance
