ARS | Publication request: Canopy temperature and cotton performance

Submitted to: Annual Australian Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2012
Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Citation: Mahan, J.R., Bange, M., Young, A. 2012. Canopy temperature and cotton performance. Annual Australian Cotton Conference, August 14-16, 2012, Broadbeach, Australia. p. 130.

Interpretive Summary: Crops are affected by temperature which changes constantly over a growing season. Historically the temperature of the air has been used to predict the temperature of the crop and the effects of temperature on yield. Recent improvements in temperature measurement have made it possible to measure the temperature of a crop directly over entire growing seasons. It is shown that using measured crop temperature instead of air temperature improves our ability to detect and explain thermal effects on the performance of the crop. These new approaches will help us develop improved crops and better ways to manage their production on farms.

Technical Abstract: Abstract The temperature of a cotton canopy is a useful indicator of both the metabolic state and water status of the crop. Recent advances in equipment have resulted in reductions in the cost and complexity of near continuous canopy temperature monitoring. Measurements on a seasonal timeframe at a 15-minute interval provide a near-continuous measure of water use and metabolic optimality. Two examples of the use of continuous canopy temperature to monitor plant performance include; 1- canopy temperature-based heat units to manage crop inputs and 2- cumulative seasonal canopy temperature as a measure of crop water use. It is concluded that both approaches provide valuable insight into crop/environment interactions and offer additional insight into plant performance and yield.