Development and comparative evaluation of radiation-based reference evapotranspiration equations for sub-humid Hazaribagh region of Jharkhand

Authors

  • ARVIND SINGH TOMAR GBPUAT, PANTNAGAR

Keywords:

Site-specific, Radiation, Statistical performance, India.

Abstract

In this study, two site-specific solar radiation (Rs) and net radiation (Rn) based equations for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ET­0) were developed and their performance were statistically analysed in comparison to widely accepted FAO Penman-Monteith method (PMF-56) and four other standard radiation methods for sub-humid Hazaribagh region of Jharkhand. These two equations were developed with daily values of Rs and Rn in conjunction with maximum and minimum air temperature by taking daily PMF-56 ET0 values as index with weather dataset of 15 years (1990-2004). The performance of these equations validated with carefully screened daily weather dataset of eight years (2005-2012) with other considered standard methods revealed that they estimated ET0 better. The eight year average ratio of ET0 values calculated with developed Rs- and Rn- based equations and PMF-56 on daily basis were obtained as 1.07 and 1.10 respectively. These two derived equations resulted in better average values of SEE on daily (0.57 and 0.61) and monthly (1.24 and 1.21) basis. The higher value of Agreement index (D) on monthly ET0 values on daily and monthly basis during validation period confirms efficacy of derived equations. Considering the limitations associated with reliability and availability of weather data especially in developing countries, derived equations presented in this study are recommended to estimate ET0 in sub-humid Hazaribagh region if standard PMF-56 equation cannot be used due to non-availability of required weather parameters.

Author Biography

ARVIND SINGH TOMAR, GBPUAT, PANTNAGAR

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, GBPUAT, PANTNAGAR 263145

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Published

2015-09-25

Issue

Section

I-Land and Water Engineering