At a glance
The combined transfer of water to the atmosphere through evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plants.
Why it matters
ET connects vegetation activity with water use and the wider water balance.
An operating example
Compare estimated ET, rainfall and crop stage when assessing irrigation needs.
Illustrative application, not a live customer result or a guarantee of product availability.
What it does and does not tell you
Actual ET, reference ET and crop water requirements are distinct quantities and should not be used interchangeably.
Further reading
Primary references for the underlying concepts; the operating examples above are illustrative.