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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321382
Title: Hyperspectral surface reflectance data detect low moisture status of pecan orchards during flood irrigation

Author
item OTHMAN, YAHIA - New Mexico State University
item STEELE, CAITI - New Mexico State University
item VANLEEUWEN, DAWN - New Mexico State University
item ST. HILAIRE, TOLSTON - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2015
Publication Date: 9/15/2015
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61728
Citation: Othman, Y., Steele, C., Vanleeuwen, D., St. Hilaire, T. 2015. Hyperspectral surface reflectance data detect low moisture status of pecan orchards during flood irrigation. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 140 (5):449-458.

Interpretive Summary: This research examines potential methods of detecting moisture stress in pecan trees using a handheld spectroradiometer. Pecan moisture stress can be assessed directly using measurements of stem water potential, but this takes a long time to measure. This paper reports on how measurements of canopy spectral reflectance can discriminate between well-watered and stressed trees. Canopy spectral reflectance can be measured quickly and is a non-invasive technique.

Technical Abstract: For large fields, remote sensing might permit plant low moisture status to be detected early, and this may improve drought detection and monitoring. The objective of this study was to determine whether canopy and soil surface reflectance data derived from a handheld spectroradiometer can detect moisture status assessed using midday stem water potential (csmd) in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) during cyclic flood irrigations. We conducted the study simultaneously on two mature pecan orchards, a sandy loam (La Mancha) and a clay loam (Leyendecker) soil. We were particularly interested in detecting moisture status in the L0.90 to L1.5 MPa csmd range because our previous studies indicated this was the critical range for irrigating pecan. Midday stem water potential, photosynthesis (A) and canopy and soil surface reflectance measurements were taken over the course of irrigation dry-down cycles at csmd levels of L0.40 to L0.85 MPa (well watered) and L0.9 to L1.5 MPa (water deficit). The decline in A averaged 34% in La Mancha and 25% in Leyendecker orchard when csmd ranged from L0.9 to L1.5 MPa. Average canopy surface reflectance of well-watered trees (csmd L0.4 to L0.85 MPa) was significantly higher than the same trees experiencing water deficits (csmd L0.9 to L1.5 MPa) within the 350- to 2500-nm bands range. Conversely, soil surface reflectance of well-watered trees was lower than water deficit overall bands. At both orchards, coefficiet of determinations between csmd and all soil and canopy bands and surface reflectance indices were less than 0.62. But discriminant analysis models derived from combining soil and canopy reflectance data of well-watered and water-deficit trees had high classification accuracy (overall and cross-validation classification accuracy >80%). A discriminant model that included triangular vegetation index (TVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and normalized soil moisture index (NSMI) had 85% overall accuracy and 82% cross-validation accuracy at La Mancha orchard. At Leyendecker, either a discriminant model weighted with two soil bands (690 and 2430 nm) or a discriminant model that used PRI and soil band 2430 nm had an overall classification and cross-validation accuracy of 99%. In summary, the results presented here suggest that canopy and soil hyperspectral data derived from a handheld spectroradiometer hold promise for discerning the csmd of pecan orchards subjected to flood irrigation.