An innovative remote sensing based reference evapotranspiration method to support irrigation water management under semi-arid conditions

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is an essential component of irrigation water management due to it being a basic input for estimating crop water requirements. Multiple approaches have been identified for ETo assessment but most of them are based on daily meteorological data provided by weather station networks that provide an accurate meteorological characterization. A new alternative approach called MA + LSE based on the Makkink-Advection (MAK-Adv) equation in combination with remotely sensed solar radiation and a numerical weather forecast of near surface air temperature has provided good estimates of ETo under different weather conditions in a semi-arid region located in Southern Spain, without requiring local meteorological data.