Evaluating the Methods of Estimating Potential Evapotranspiration in Omidiyeh Town

In order to determine the required water for irrigation it is necessary to calculate the amount of needed water by plant or evapotranspiration. The equations that are used to calculate evapotranspiration are not applying the same climatic parameters and, due to their experimental nature, they are not suitable for all climatic conditions. In the present study in order to compare evapotranspiration methods and to determine the best method to estimate potential  evapotranspiration in Omidiyeh Town, the FAO - Penman - Monteith (FP-M) method was considered as the reference and accuracy of Blaney Criddle (BC), Torrent White (TW) and Hargreaves - Samani (HS) methods that need fewer climatic parameters was compared to it. In addition, statistical data of synoptic station in Omidiyeh were used for the period of 2006 to 2015. The results showed that Blaney - Criddle method, compared to other methods used, with the highest correlation coefficient and the lowest standard error along with FAO Penman-Monteith method were more accurate in estimating potential evapotranspiration in Omidiyeh. Moreover, Blaney Criddle has estimated the average potential evapotranspiration of the town 22% less than the reference method and has the lowest difference to the reference method.