Estimation of Potential Evapotranspiration at Botanga Irrigation Scheme in the Northern Region of Ghana

Authors

  • Adams Sadick Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy Division, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Isaac Owusu Ansah Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy Division, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Aaron Owusu Badu Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy Division, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Kwabena Abrefa Nketia Soil Genesis, Survey and Evaluation Division, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Eric Asamoah Soil Genesis, Survey and Evaluation Division, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Jerry Asaana Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Bolgatanga, Ghana
  • Richard Amfo-Otu Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Presbyterian University College, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.70.4.7752

Keywords:

reference evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, hydrological balance and climate, crop water requirement

Abstract

Climatic parameters such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, relative humidity and sunshine hours were used to assess reference evapotranspiration and potential crop evapotranspiration of selected crops. The Penmann Monteith method for calculation of Reference Evapotranspiration, which has been incorporated in CROPWAT software, was used. Test crops included rice, tomato and pepper, which were part of the major crops cultivated in the Botanga irrigation scheme. Research findings indicated that temperature (r = 0.653) played a crucial role in assessing reference evapotranspiration and potential evapotranspiration. Temperature was lowest during the months from July to September due to lower solar radiation and higher rainfall. The potential crop evapotranspiration of rice, tomato and pepper were 697, 533 and 427 mm/season respectively. Rice growers will require more water for irrigation to ensure higher production due to its high evapotranspiration rate.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.70.4.7752

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Published

2014-12-29

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 4 (2014)

Section

Articles

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