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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 #294275
Title: Ground-Based Remote Sensing of Water-Stressed Crops: Thermal and Multispectral Imaging

Author
item DeJonge, Kendall
item TAGHVAEIAN, SALEH - Colorado State University

Submitted to: USCID International Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2013
Publication Date: 10/14/2013
Citation: DeJonge, K.C., Taghvaeian, S. 2013. Ground-Based Remote Sensing of Water-Stressed Crops: Thermal and Multispectral Imaging. USCID International Conference. Denver, CO October 14-18, 2013.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ground-based methods of remote sensing can be used as ground-truthing for satellite-based remote sensing, and in some cases may be a more affordable means of obtaining such data. Plant canopy temperature has been used to indicate and quantify plant water stress. A field research study was conducted in 2012 on corn and sunflower with varying growth-stage based water stress. On seven of the twelve treatments, infrared radiometers determined continuous canopy temperature throughout the season. Results show that canopy temperature is influenced by irrigation management, but also by soil type. Results were used to determine the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and subsequent evapotranspiration crop stress coefficients (Ks). In a related effort, a “highboy” tractor equipped with an equipment platform suspended 6 m above the ground surface on a boom was utilized to efficiently enable users to collect remotely sensed data from all treatments and replicates, typically obtained twice per week near solar noon throughout the growing season. This remotely sensed data included above-canopy temperature and humidity, infrared canopy temperature, visible (red-green-blue) canopy imaging, and infrared thermal canopy imaging. Thermal images of the crops are useful to delineate intricate details of plant canopy temperature, yet it has its own difficulties, for example separation of shaded plants from shaded ground in thermal images. Multispectral (green, red, near-infrared) detection and imaging equipment was added to the collection system in 2013, and preliminary results will be shown.