A study was performed to compare the bulk aerodynamic (H_A) and Bowen ratio energy balance (H_B) methods in the estimation of the sensible heat flux in a cowpea crop. Data of net radiation, soil heat flux, soil water content, soil temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall were collected on 30-min time intervals in an area of 4 ha belonging to the municipality of Areia, PB (6º 58' 12" S e 35º 42' 15" W, 620 m). Results showed that there was a good agreement between H_A and H_B with an index "d" of 0.98 and standard error of estimate (SEE) of 14.88 W m-2, no significant difference between H_A H_B, by the t-Student test. Thus, the bulk aerodynamic method can be used in conjunction with measurements of net radiation and soil heat flux to estimate the evapotranspiration of the cowpea under soil and climatic condition of the "Brejo Paraibano".
energy balance; Bowen ratio; aerodynamic method; evapotranspiration
