The potential evapotranspiration of Short grass (Cynodon dactylon) as related to the estimated potential evaporation and evapotranspiration from meteorological data in the coastal region of Kuwait

Abstract

The adverse climatic conditions of Kuwait and the traditional method of distributing and applying irrigation water decrease irrigation efficiency, thus reducing aquifer life and water quality. These should therefore be altered, and new irrigation schemes devised. For this purpose, evapotranspiration data are needed. Since measurements of evapotranspiration are time-consuming, Penman's estimate of potential evaporation ( Eo ) and the Jensen–Haise estimate of potential evapotranspiration ( Ej ) were calculated, correlated with each other, and compared with the measured evapotranspiration ( Ep ) of Short grass ( Cynodon dactylon ). These amounted to 2193, 2088 and 2650 mm, respectively. It was found that ( Ej ) is significantly related to ( Eo ) with a correlation coefficient of 0)97. In place of the numerous parameters to be measured, and the long procedure required to calculate Penman's estimate of ( Eo ), the Jensen–Haise formula may be used directly for rapid computation of ( Ej ).