Irrigation scheduling and controlling crop water use efficiency with Infrared Thermometry

Authors: O`Shaughnessy, Susan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/29/2014
Publication Date: 4/29/2014
Citation: Oshaughnessy, S.A. 2014. Irrigation scheduling and controlling crop water use efficiency with Infrared Thermometry. Water and Irrigation Efficiency and Technology Meeting. Paper No. 4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Scientific methods for irrigation scheduling include weather, soil and plant-based techniques. Infrared thermometers can be used a non-invasive practice to monitor canopy temperature and better manage irrigation scheduling. This presentation will discuss the theoretical basis for monitoring crop canopy temperature, the calculation of empirical and theoretical thermal stress indices to characterize crop water stress and trigger irrigations, and crop yields and water use efficiencies resulting from plant-based irrigation scheduling. Finally, an introduction of wireless sensor network systems will be presented, followed by a demonstration of establishing a simple wireless sensor network system and data capture using two commercialized infrared thermometers.