APPLICATION OF SIMPLIFIED SURFACE ENERGY BALANCE INDEX (S-SEBI) FOR CROP EVAPOTRANSPIRATION USING LANDSAT 8

Abstract. Assessment and monitoring of crop water requirement (CWR) or crop evapotranspiration (ETc) over a large spatial scale is the critical component for irrigation and drought management. Due to growing competition and increasing shortage of water, careful utilization of water in irrigation is essential. The usage of water for irrigation/agriculture is a top priority for countries like Pakistan, where the GDP mostly based on agriculture, and its scarcity may affect the crop production. Remote sensing techniques can be used to estimate crop water requirement or crop evapotranspiration which can help in efficient irrigation. Simplified-surface energy balance index (SSEBI) model is used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) of wheat during 2015–16 growing period in Tando Adam, Sindh. Landsat-8 satellite data for the corresponding years were used. With the help of National Agromet Centre report chart of Crop coefficient (Kc) the CWR, ETc of all phonological stages were estimated. Results indicated that maximum ET and maximum CWR were found in the third leaf to tillering stage with a value of 0.75 and 0.89 respectively. This study will help in managing and monitoring of ET spatial distribution over irrigated crops which results in better irrigation scheduling and water consumption.