Monitoring water stress in corn with an infrared thermometer

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in 1986 at the field laboratory belonging to CPATSA/EMBRAPA to study the response of corn crop subjected to four different levels of irrigation (100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of field capacity). The objective was to verify the possibility of monitoring the water stress in corn (Zea mays L.) using the technique of infrared thermometry. The experimental design consisted of a randomized block design with four irrigation treatments and three replications. Each experimental unit occupied an area of 76.8 m². The irrigation system consisted of furrows blocked at the extremities, and the volume of irrigated water was controlled by means of a water meter. The irrigation treatments were started 30 days after planting. The data utilized in the present work were collected along the whole life cycle of the crop. The indices of Stress Degree Day, Temperature Stress Day and Canopy Temperature Variability were utilized for monitoring the water stress.