Calibration and validation of four common ET0 estimation equations by lysimeter data in a semi-arid environment

In this study, four different methods for reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) were calibrated and validated for estimation of daily to mean monthly ET0 by weighing lysimeter data during 2005-2006 and 2004-2005, respectively, in a semi-arid region. The value of the constant in the Hargreaves-Samani method changed from 0.0023 to 0.0026 for daily to mean monthly ET0, and can be used in stations with only air temperature data. The constant of the aerodynamic resistance equation in the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method (208.0) changed to -5.0. The value of coefficient a in the FAO-24-Radiation method was between -0.5 and -0.67. Further, the empirical equations were modified to estimate the value of b in the FAO-24-Radiation method and C in the FAO-24 corrected Penman method. The results showed that the modified FAO-56, corrected Penman-Monteith and FAO-24-Radiation methods are the most appropriate for estimating daily to mean monthly ET0. Furthermore, the modified FAO-24 corrected Penman method was ranked in fourth place and its accuracy was lower than that of the other methods. However, it is appropriate for estimating mean monthly ET0. Smoothing the daily data decreased the fluctuation in measured daily weather data and ET0 measured by lysimeter, and consequently resulted in a higher accuracy in the estimation of daily ET0.