Estimation of actual evapotranspiration in barley crop through a generalized linear model

Abstract

Evapotranspiration is a key variable of the water cycle. Its calculation requires several ground data that frequently are not available. This study contains a detailed method and measurements of meteorological and energy balance variables that can be used to estimate the daily actual evapotranspiration (ETa). A linear generalized model is obtained to calculate the ETa from common variables measured in meteorological stations. The method showed a good performance over a barley crop of easthern Argentine Pampas and can be applied and tested in other great plains. Measurements of soil-plant-atmosphere are included The routines to reproduce the method are included The generalized method allows the calculation of daily ETa over crops and was tested over barley crops.