Ranking Potential Evapotranspiration Models in the Prediction of Maize Water Requirements in the PortHarcourt Area of Nigeria

Abstract

It has been observed that many of the empirical models used to estimate evapotranspiration, although simple, are not sufficiently sensitive in those areas where the temperature is relatively constant but other meteorological factors that promote evapotranspiration vary (Michael, 1978; Hashemi and Haliban, 1979). It is therefore important to verify, or even recalibrate these models when they are used within a new geographical region or climatic area (eg PortHarcourt, Nigeria) if account is to be taken of relational changes between meteorological factors such as net radiation, air temperature, elevation, advection and relative humidity.