Fifty years of crop evapotranspiration studies in Puerto Rico

The water resources of Puerto Rico are currently being threatened by population pressure, development, pollution, and potentially adverse changes in the climate. Accurate determination of evapotranspiration is essential in managing water resources and practicing water conservation in Puerto Rico. In support of this goat, a review is presented covering the majority of research on crop water use and evapotranspiration estimation methods used in Puerto Rico during the last fifty years. Specifically, the review considers consumptive use determined from field water balance studies, calculation methods, and the pan evaporation method. Several studies also considered the estimation of reference evapotranspiration and the procedures for estimating climate parameter data needed as input to the reference evapotranspiration calculation methods. Recommendations for research priorities are provided.