Guidelines For Predicting Crop Water Requirements PDF Download

This publication is intended to provide guidance in determining crop water requirements and their application in planning, design and operation of irrigation projects; Part I.1 presents suggested methods to derive crop water requirements. The use of four well-known methods for determining such requirements is defined to obtain reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo), which denotes the level of evapotranspiration for different set of climatic data. To derive the evapotranspiration for a specific crop, relationships between crop evapotranspiration (ETcrop) and reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) are given in Part I.2 for different crops, stages of growth, length of growing season and prevailing climatic conditions. The effect of local conditions on crop water requirements is given in Part I.3; this includes local variation in climate, advection, soil water availability and agronomic and irrigation methods and practices. Calculation procedures are presented together with examples. A detailed discussion on selection and calibration of the presented methodologies together with the data sources is given in Appendix II. A computer programme on applying the different methods is given in Appendix III. Part II discusses the application of crop water requirements data in irrigation project planning, design and operation. Part II. 1 deals with deriving the field water balance, which in turn forms the basis for predicting seasonal and peak irrigation supplies for general planning purposes. Attention is given to irrigation efficiency and water requirements for cultural practices and leaching of salts. In Part II. 2 methods are presented to arrived at field and scheme supply schedules with emphasis towards the field water balance and field irrigation management. Criteria are given for operating the canal system using different methods of water delivery, and for subsequent design parameters of the system. Suggestions are made in Part II. 3 on refinement of field and project supply schedules once the project is in operation. The presented guidelines are based on measured data and experience obtained covering a wide range of conditions. Local practical, technical, social and economic considerations will, however, affect the planning criteria selected. Therefore caution and a critical attitude should still be taken when applying the presented methodology.