Abstract
A relatively accurate estimate of turfgrass evapotranspiration (ET) using environmental parameters readily obtainable from a local weather station would be of benefit to golf course superintendents, landscape managers, and homeowners. The Penman–Monteith model is clearly a poorer estimate than that obtained by Bellani plates or spheres. It has been suggested that, while the Penman–Monteith model is good in the drier climate of the southwestern United States, other models may be of greater practicable utility in climates such as are common in Kansas. Thus, other models have been evaluated for their suitability as turfgrass ET estimates in Kansas-like climates. Turfgrass ET was measured via lysimeters in 1992–94. Specifically, measurements were taken on three tall fescue varieties mowed at 6.35 or 7.62 cm, and zoysiagrass and perennial ryegrass mowed at 2.54 cm. Evaporation from black Bellani plates was measured simultaneously. These evaporation and ET rates were compared to those estimated by various empirical models whose data came from a weather station located within 31 m of the Bellani plates and lysimeters. Empirical models included temperature methods (e.g., FAO-24 Blaney–Criddle), radiation methods (e.g., Jensen–Haise, Hargreaves–Samani), combination equations (e.g., Priestly–Taylor, Penman), and variants. The best model(s) determined from these comparisons will likely become the method(s) of choice for estimating turfgrass ET in Kansas.
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