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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Water Management and Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312988
Title: Soil variability effects on canopy temperature in a limited irrigation experiment

Author
item DeJonge, Kendall
item TAGHVAEIAN, SALEH - Oklahoma State University
item Trout, Thomas

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Canopy temperature was monitored on a continuous basis in a limited irrigation maize experiment, with 12 separate irrigation treatments and 4 replicates of each treatment. Soil electroconductivity (EC) was measured and mapped to quantify variation in soil texture throughout the plots, and was correlated with average field capacity of the soil (R^2 = 0.51). Results indicate that placement of infrared thermometers should consider soil texture if the intent is to obtain a non-stressed or "least-stressed" baseline.

Technical Abstract: Canopy temperature was monitored on a continuous basis in a limited irrigation maize experiment, with 12 separate irrigation treatments and 4 replicates of each treatment. Soil electroconductivity (EC) was measured and mapped to quantify variation in soil texture throughout the plots, and was correlated with average field capacity of the soil (R^2 = 0.51). At lower temperatures indicating little or no water stress, very little difference was observed between replicates within the same treatment. However, at higher temperatures soil has a greater influence on temperature with soils having lower EC (and therefore lower water holding capacity) showing more water stress. More specifically, at temperatures above 29°C the influence of soil texture can bias the temperature up to 2.3°C over the EC range of 15 to 40 mS/m. Results indicate that placement of infrared thermometers should consider soil texture if the intent is to obtain a non-stressed or "least-stressed" baseline.