Spatial Distribution of Reference and Potential Evapotranspiration Across the Indus Basin Irrigation Systems

Abstract

"Spatial and temporal estimation of potential water requirements for agriculture will permit the assessment of expected level of water stress and help in improved planning and allocation of water resources and sustainable groundwater management. This study assesses potential crop consumptive use at the main-canal level by improving the estimation of reference evapotranspiration and crop coefficients, using the latest and most comprehensive set of data available in the Indus Basin. The water needs of major crops and the actual irrigated areas of each canal command in the basin are also estimated to make the results of this study readily useable for further research and planning."