Abstract

RUIZ ALVAREZ, Osías et al. Spatiotemporal behaviour of the reference evapotranspiration in Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.spe10, pp.1963-1976. ISSN 2007-0934.

The management of water resources requires accurate information on reference evapotranspiration (ETO) necessary meteorological variable in explaining physical environmental processes. The present work aimed to study the spatial and temporal variability of ETO on a network ofautomatic weather stations over a period of three years. We used the standard model Penman-Monteith modified by FAO (FPM) and fed with wind speed, temperature and short wave radiation; with the latter two variables the vapour pressure deficit (es- ea and net radiation (Rn were obtained. Spatial variability is due to the combined effect ofthe variables that affect ETO such as Rn and atmospheric humidity. In December and January, the low values are located in the north ofthe country, in the States ofthe Gulf Coast and in a small portion of the west; while southern and central Mexico Sates have higher values. In the warm months, the highest values are located in the north, northeast, northwest and north-central States and the lowest in the south and southeast. ETO differences in time and space transíate into differences in the hydrological cycle and discrepancies in the volumes of irrigation. These results signify an important database for future agro-climatic studies.

Keywords : irrigation; reference evapotranspiration; weather station.

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