The assesment of empirical potential evapotranspiration methods: A case study of Konya closed basin

Abstract

Evapotranspiration plays a critical role in hydrologic cycle. However, it is difficult to estimate its quantification at basin and arable land scales. Scientists have developed array of empirical equations that provide estimates of it based on more readily measured quantities in order to analyze this issue. The performance of six empirical methods namely Blaney-Criddle, Jensen-Haise, Makkink, Turc, Priestley-Taylor and Hargreaves-Samani were discussed comparing with FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method using daily meteorological data obtained from five stations in Konya Closed Basin. The results showed that Turc, Hargreaves-Samani ve Priestley-Taylor methods have come into prominence as an alternative to FAO-56 PM. Furthermore, Turc was best among the six methods when the irrigation season was considered. Another point to be emphasized is that the performance of Hargreaves-Samani method, which only needs daily temperature data, was undeniably successful in this region.