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Assessment of different reference evapotranspiration models to estimate the actual evapotranspiration of corn (Zea mays L.) in a semiarid region (case study, Karaj, Iran)

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Abstract

In this study, an experiment was performed to assess and rank different evapotranspiration models. This was done to estimate the daily actual evapotranspiration of corn using a single (Kc-single) and dual (Kc-dual) crop coefficients in the semiarid climate of Karaj, Iran, in 2014. Daily evapotranspiration calculations using one combination-based model, one pan evaporation-based model, nine temperature-based models, ten radiation-based models, and seven mass transfer-based models were compared to the lysimeter measurements. Considering the single-crop coefficient, the Hargreaves-M3 model (RMSE = 1.89 mm/day) in the temperature-based models, the Caprio (1974) model (RMSE = 1.99 mm/day) in the radiation-based models, and the Albrecht (1950) model (RMSE = 4.33 mm/day) in the mass transfer-based models were ranked first place. Moreover, the Hargreaves-M2 model (RMSE = 0.88 mm/day) in the temperature-based models, the Caprio (1974) model (RMSE = 1.17 mm/day) in the radiation-based models, as well as the Albrecht (1950) model (RMSE = 3.76 mm/day) in the mass transfer-based models using the dual-crop coefficient, provided the most accurate estimation of daily corn evapotranspiration as compared to the lysimeter measurements.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Alborz, Iran, for providing assistance to conduct this study. We also thank the editor and anonymous reviewers whose constructive comments improved the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Engineering, College of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, P.O. Box 65178-33131, Hamedan, Iran

    Samira Akhavan & Elahe Kanani

  2. Associate Professor, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, P.O. Box 31585-845, Karaj, Alborz, Iran

    Hossein Dehghanisanij

Authors
  1. Samira Akhavan
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  2. Elahe Kanani
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  3. Hossein Dehghanisanij
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Correspondence to Samira Akhavan.

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Akhavan, S., Kanani, E. & Dehghanisanij, H. Assessment of different reference evapotranspiration models to estimate the actual evapotranspiration of corn (Zea mays L.) in a semiarid region (case study, Karaj, Iran). Theor Appl Climatol 137, 1403–1419 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-018-2634-y

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