How can I use ETo data for irrigation scheduling?
ETo indicates how much water a reference crop of grass needs over a certain time period for optimum growth and development. You derive daily Etc (crop ET) by multiplying ETo by Kc. Kc is a crop coefficient derived from field experience and research that converts ETo to ETc for a specific crop. By adding up daily ETc values and including losses due to inefficiencies in your irrigation system, it is possible to estimate how much water you need to apply and when it is time to irrigate. Although irrigation scheduling can be complicated, it can be analogous to balancing your checkbook. The analogy lies in that additions of irrigation water and precipitation can be considered deposits whereas ET, runoff, and deep percolation can be considered withdrawals. For more information on irrigation scheduling, click on “IRRIGATION” from the CIMIS Home Page and then select “Scheduling”.
