Goodness-of-Fit of Reference Evapotranspiration to Gamma Probability Distribution

This paper aims to estimate, using the Penman-Monteith method, the probabilities of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) in millimeters, as well as their accumulated values for ten days (decendial), in Mossoró, northeast Brazil. The Meteorological Station of the Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid (UFERSA) provided the daily records of evapotranspiration. The construction of tables based on the approximation of the variable to the Gamma distribution allows the use of data without transformations. The probabilities were estimated with the Gamma distribution at confidence levels of 1% to 95% over the 1970-2007 data period. The results of the chi-square and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests at 10% probability (p ≥ 0.10) demonstrated the adequacy of the table construction process, providing essential support in the planning of agricultural activities in the region to obtain the maximum benefit from evapotranspiration data. The Gamma probability distribution best described the ET0 for scaling irrigation systems in the county. The maximum daily ET0 for irrigation projects in the Mossoró region is 10 mm, and the cumulative 10-day ET0 averages 80 mm.