Measurement of Evapotranspiration in Turfgrass: Recommended Techniques and Adjustment Coefficients

Authors

Kenton W. Peterson
D. Bremer, Kansas State UniversityFollow
Kira B. Shonkwiler
J. M. Ham

Keywords

Evapotranspiration, evapotranspiration models, water, tall fescue

Abstract

Evapotranspiration (ET) from turfgrass can be measured directly using lysimeters (LYS), estimated from weather data using models, or approximated using atmometers. Evapotranspiration measurements from LYS were compared with ET estimates from four variations of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) standardized ET equation including the use of: 1) hourly steps of measured net radiation (R_n) (ASCE_HM); 2) hourly steps of R_n calculated from global irradiance (ASCE_HC); 3) daily steps of measured R_n (ASCE_DM); and 4) daily steps of R_n calculated from global irradiance (ASCE_DC); ET from LYS was also compared with the Priestley-Taylor (PT) model and atmometers. All collections were from a sward of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) turfgrass at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center, Manhattan, KS. Results indicate the ASCE_DC could improve irrigation scheduling in turfgrass by providing accurate ET estimates from standard weather station data where measured R_n is not available. Adjustment factors for several of the methods are recommended below.

Recommended Citation

Peterson, Kenton W.; Bremer, D.; Shonkwiler, Kira B.; and Ham, J. M. (2017) "Measurement of Evapotranspiration in Turfgrass: Recommended Techniques and Adjustment Coefficients," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 3: Iss. 4. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7157