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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72694
Title: TEXAS NORTH PLAINS PET NETWORK

Author
item MAREK, T - TAES
item Howell, Terry
item NEW, L - TAEX
item BEAN, B - TAEX
item Dusek, Donald
item MICHELS, JR., G - TAES

Submitted to: International Evapotranspiration Irrigation Scheduling Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A potential evapotranspiration (PET) network has been developed and implemented within the northern Texas High Plains. The network represents approximately 1.6 million ha of irrigated agriculture. The network system utilizes automated data acquisition units to log meteorological data and report it on an hourly basis at multiple sites representative of different commodities grown within a 30 county area. Interrogation of the units is by phone communication. The system automatically computes and dispatches faxes to each subscriber in the early morning hours indicating estimates of PET, growing degree day units, physiological growth stage and daily and seasonal water use from the previous day(s). In addition, the system uploads to a network bulletin board for model access by individuals requiring more detailed data than provided within the faxes. Illustrations of each daily output are provided. All PET computations are based on a modified Penman-Monteith equation Crop coefficients for corn, grain sorghum and wheat were calibrated with large weighing lysimeters at Bushland, TX, and use well-watered grass as a reference crop. The PET, physiological growth stages and growing degree day head units are currently provided for corn, sorghum, cotton, and wheat. Complete peanut and sugarbeet parameters are still being compiled. Planned enhancements to the system include improved disease and insect development models.