Abstract
Current study attempts to analyze the sensitivity of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) computed using CROPWAT model in central Punjab. Ludhiana experiences mean annual ETo of 3.98±0.19mm/day, which is decreasing at the rate of 0.1mm/day/decade. Highest mean monthly ETo of 6.94±0.49mm/day is observed in June and lowest of 1.54±0.19mm/day is observed during January. Correlation analysis between meteorological parameters and ETo showed negative relationship between Tmin (−0.60) and RH (−0.63) and positive with Tmax (0.33), wind speed (0.69), sunshine hours (0.81) and solar radiation (0.81). Significant correlation between ETo and weather parameters indicates that climate change will have significant effect on ETo in the coming years, which can put tremendous pressure on existing overstressed water resources in the region and any increase in water demand requires careful water resource planning and development in future. More emphasis is thus needed to develop technologies for reducing water losses in reservoirs, conservation of rainwater, development of crop varieties requiring less water and agronomic manipulations leading to conservation and judicious utilization of available moisture.
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