干旱胁迫下黄条金刚竹的光合和叶绿素荧光特性

通过盆栽试验,研究了自然干旱胁迫处理下,黄条金刚竹植株形态、土壤含水量(SWC)、叶片含水量(LWC)、叶片水势(LWP)、光合作用参数和叶绿素荧光参数的变化,及与环境因素的关系.结果表明:自然干旱胁迫后第17天,黄条金刚竹出现干旱伤害症状,叶片失水下垂、内卷,第43天地上部分失水死亡;复水后10 d,叶片叶绿素荧光参数与第43天无显著差异.在干旱胁迫0～21 d,SWC显著下降,而在17 d以后,LWP急剧下降,29 d以后LWC显著降低.随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,叶片蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)持续下降,而光合速率(P_n)波动较大,瞬时水分利用效率（PWUE）则先升高后降低;17 d后,P_n由气孔限制为主转为非气孔限制为主,实际光合效率(Φ_PSⅡ)开始下降;25 d后,黄条金刚竹的光合机构被破坏,最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ潜在热耗散能力(q_N)分别由0.64、0.79下降到-0.11、0.33.T_r、g_s、PWUE与LWP密切相关,大气湿度对P_n、T_r、g_s的影响显著,气孔是光合参数变化的主导因素.本试验条件下,黄条金刚竹适宜在土壤相对含水率≥12%的土壤中生长,且干旱胁迫持续时间不超过25 d.     

单粒精播对花生冠层微环境、光合特性及产量的影响

在大田条件下,以大粒型花生品种‘花育22’为材料,研究了22.5万株·hm^-2(S₁)、19.5万株·hm^-2(S₂)、16.5万株·hm^-2(S₃)3个密度单粒精播条件下,花生冠层微环境、光合特性及产量的差异.结果表明: 与传统双粒穴播15万穴·hm^-2相比,3个密度的单粒精播模式均提高了花生生育期内的冠层透光率、冠层温度、CO₂浓度,降低了冠层相对湿度,改善了生育中后期的冠层微环境;单粒精播模式下花生叶片的光合色素含量、光合速率均高于传统双粒穴播,其中,S₂和S₃处理的效果显著.综合冠层微环境特征、光合特性及产量等因素分析,单粒精播模式S₂(19.5万株·hm^-2)处理的群体大小适宜,个体分布均匀一致,不仅缓解了群体与个体间的矛盾,而且优化了冠层微环境,提高了花生不同层次叶片的光合特性,增加了后期光合产物的合成与积累,实现了产量的最大化.     

干旱高温及高浓度CO2复合胁迫对冬小麦生长的影响

研究了不同CO₂浓度、不同温度和水分条件及其组合对冬小麦产量、光合及水分的影响,以阐明气候变化对冬小麦的影响.结果表明: CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦光合速率没有影响,而升温和干旱均使光合速率显著下降.升高CO₂浓度与温度对冬小麦旗叶水分条件没有影响,干旱胁迫下旗叶相对含水量显著降低,而升温与干旱同时发生可降低旗叶水势.气温、CO₂浓度升高以及干旱胁迫共同作用下,冬小麦光合速率和旗叶水分条件显著降低,产量下降41.4%.CO₂浓度升高使冬小麦增产21.2%,温度升高使产量降低12.3%,CO₂浓度和温度同时升高对产量没有影响,干旱胁迫下产量下降程度更大.未来气候变化情景下,保持较高的土壤水分含量是减少气候变暖危害的重要手段.
     

水分敏感的反射光谱指数比较研究——以锐齿槲栎为例

利用叶片反射光谱实时、无损地探测植物水分状况是森林干旱评估的新方法,但是不同光谱指数的水分敏感性存在很大差异,因此,确定适用于树木叶片的水分指标与其敏感的光谱指标均非常重要。该研究选取锐齿槲栎(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata)不同发育阶段和冠层位置上的叶片作为研究对象,在失水条件下,测定叶片的水分指标及其同步的反射光谱响应曲线,探究叶片的光谱反射率变化与水分状况改变的关系,比较并评估不同叶片发育阶段和冠层位置叶片的水分指标与不同反射光谱指数之间相关关系的优劣。结果表明:(1)在4个不同水分指标中,与比叶含水量(SWC)和叶片水分鲜质量比(LMP)相比,相对含水量(RWC)和等效水分厚度(EWT)在不同发育阶段和冠层位置之间的变异性更小,能稳定地表征树木整体的水分状况;且RWC和EWT具有更高的光谱敏感性,适用于遥感探测。(2)光谱反射率差值分析法和光谱反射率敏感性分析法表明:叶片的光谱敏感性受发育阶段的影响较大;在短波红外区域,成熟叶片在失水胁迫初始阶段的光谱变化较小,而新展叶在整个失水阶段均表现出明显的光谱差异。(3)通过对15个不同光谱指数与水分指标的相关分析,发现水分指数(WI)-RWC和双差值指数(DDn(1530,525))-EWT均具有较高的相关性,其中,WI-RWC的拟合关系受叶片发育阶段和冠层位置的影响较大;而DDn(1530,525)-EWT的拟合关系更为稳定。     

干旱高温及高浓度CO2复合胁迫对冬小麦生长的影响

研究了不同CO₂浓度、不同温度和水分条件及其组合对冬小麦产量、光合及水分的影响,以阐明气候变化对冬小麦的影响.结果表明: CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦光合速率没有影响,而升温和干旱均使光合速率显著下降.升高CO₂浓度与温度对冬小麦旗叶水分条件没有影响,干旱胁迫下旗叶相对含水量显著降低,而升温与干旱同时发生可降低旗叶水势.气温、CO₂浓度升高以及干旱胁迫共同作用下,冬小麦光合速率和旗叶水分条件显著降低,产量下降41.4%.CO₂浓度升高使冬小麦增产21.2%,温度升高使产量降低12.3%,CO₂浓度和温度同时升高对产量没有影响,干旱胁迫下产量下降程度更大.未来气候变化情景下,保持较高的土壤水分含量是减少气候变暖危害的重要手段.
     

北京山区黄栌叶片水分和光能利用效率季节变化及影响因子

未来气候变化将影响光合环境资源供给,尤其是水分和光能。为深入了解植物对气候变化的适应性,使用LI-6800便携式光合仪,于2021年5—10月份(完全展叶期)测定了北京山区广布灌木黄栌(Cotinus coggygria)叶片的光响应曲线,分析其水分利用效率(WUE=最大净光合速率[P_nmax]/气孔导度[g_s])和光能利用效率(LUE)的季节变化特征及影响因子。结果显示：黄栌叶片WUE在5—6月份呈下降趋势,7—10月份比较稳定;LUE在5—7月份呈上升趋势,8—10月份比较稳定。WUE和LUE的生长季平均值分别为98.25μmol/mol和0.06 mol/mol,变异系数分别为22%和17%,两者呈负相关(R²=0.86;P<0.01)。环境因子中,WUE和LUE主要受土壤含水量(SWC)影响,WUE随SWC增加呈线性降低趋势,而LUE随SWC增加呈线性增加趋势。SWC每增加0.1 m³/m³,P_nmax和g_s分别线性增加...     

7年穿透雨减少对锐齿槲栎光合固碳及生物量碳储量的影响

气候变化背景下不断加剧的干旱事件对树木的生长及碳积累产生显著影响。然而,树木光合固碳能力及生物量碳储量对相对长期干旱的连续响应机制的研究仍然有限。选择70年生的天然锐齿槲栎(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata)林,探究长期模拟穿透雨减少对锐齿槲栎光合固碳潜力和生物量碳储量的影响。研究结果表明,连续7年的穿透雨减少处理显著降低了锐齿槲栎的光合固碳能力,其叶片净光合速率(A)、最大羧化速率(V_cmax)、最大电子传递速率(J_max)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)均明显降低,且穿透雨减少处理增强了A与气孔导度(g_s)、J_max、F_v/F_m之间的相关性。在适应长期干旱过程中,锐齿槲栎通过增加比叶面积(SLA)、叶片栅栏组织与海绵组织的比值、气孔密度等叶片形态及结构特性变化,降低冠层叶面积(LAI)指数和蒸腾水分散失及提高水分利用效率(WUE)缓解和适应干旱胁迫的不利影响。但是,长期穿透雨减少仍...     

5-氨基乙酰丙酸对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗光合特性的影响

为探讨5-氨基乙酰丙酸（ALA）对NaCl胁迫下番茄光合特性的调控作用,以‘金鹏一号’番茄幼苗为试材,研究叶面喷施50 mg·L^-1或根施10 mg·L^-1 ALA对100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明： NaCl胁迫下,番茄幼苗光合气体交换参数（净光合速率P_n、气孔导度g_s、胞间CO₂浓度C_i、蒸腾速率T_r）及叶绿素荧光参数（实际光化学量子产量F_v′/F_m′、F_m′、PSⅡ反应中心实际光化学效率Φ_PSⅡ、表观光合电子传递效率ETR、光化学淬灭q_P、光化学反应Pc）均显著降低,根施或叶施ALA均可以提高NaCl胁迫下番茄叶片的光合能力,但两种处理方式之间存在一定差异.叶面喷施50 mg·L^-1ALA或根施10 mg·L^-1ALA处理均显著提高了番茄叶片P_n、T_r、g_s和C_i,提高了水分利用效率（WUE）,显著增加了NaCl胁迫下叶片的最大净光合速率,减轻了光抑制.根施ALA对叶绿素含量的作用效果较好,而叶施ALA对光合参数的作用效果较好,两处理叶绿素荧光参数差异不显著.叶面喷施或根施ALA可以提高番茄幼苗的耐盐性,其调控作用与促进叶绿素合成与稳定、维持正常气孔开闭、降低气孔限制,进而提高NaCl胁迫下番茄叶片的光合能力和PSⅡ光化学效率有关.
     

UV-B增强下施硅对水稻抽穗期生理特性日变化的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了UV-B增强下施硅对水稻抽穗期光合和蒸腾生理相关参数日变化的影响.光辐射设对照(自然光,A)和UV-B辐射增强(比自然光增加20%,E)2个水平;硅肥设4个水平,即Si₀(不施硅,0 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)、Si₁(硅酸钠,100 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)、Si₂(硅酸钠,200 kg SiO₂·hm^-2)和Si₃(钢渣硅肥,200 kg SiO₂·hm^-2).结果表明: 不施硅条件下(Si₀),UV-B增强处理的净光合速率(P_n)、胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)和水分利用效率(WUE)的日均值比对照(A)分别下降了11.3%、5.5%、10.4%、20.3%和6.3%,施硅条件下(Si₁、Si₂和Si₃)上述参数则分别下降了3.8%～5.5%、0.7%～4.8%、4.0%～8.7%、
7.4%～20.2%和0.7%～5.9%,说明UV-B增强降低了水稻P_n、C_i、T_r、g_s和WUE,而施硅能缓解UV-B增强引起的抑制效应.UV-B增强下施硅处理(Si₁、Si₂和Si₃)的P_n、C_i、g_s和WUE的日均值比不施硅对照(E+Si₀)分别提高了16.9%～28.0%、3.5%～14.3%、16.8%～38.7%、29.0%～51.2%,T_r降低了1.9%～10.8%,说明施硅通过显著提高水稻P_n、C_i、g_s和WUE,降低T_r,以缓解UV-B增强引起的抑制效应.不同施硅处理对UV-B增强的缓解效应存在明显差异,表现为Si₃ >S/a#₂>Si₁>Si₀.表明在水稻生产中,施用钢渣硅肥不仅能实现废弃物再利用,而且可有效缓解UV-B增强对水稻光合和蒸腾生理的抑制作用.     

氮肥后移对抽穗后水分胁迫下冬小麦光合特性及产量的影响

采用子母桶栽土培法模拟冬小麦抽穗后不同的水分胁迫状态,研究了氮肥后移对冬小麦光合特性及产量的影响.设置3个氮肥处理,分别为N₁(基肥∶拔节肥∶开花肥=10∶0∶0)、N₂(6∶4∶0)和N₃(4∶3∶3),模拟冬小麦抽穗后2种水分胁迫(渍水胁迫、干旱胁迫),设正常供水为对照.结果表明：相同供水条件下,N₂和N₃处理较N₁处理显著提高冬小麦灌浆期旗叶的SPAD和光合速率,确保了收获时较高的穗数、穗粒数和地上部分生物量;氮肥后移处理显著提高了冬小麦的耗水量,但其籽粒产量和水分利用效率也显著提高.相同氮肥条件下,干旱胁迫和渍水胁迫处理较正常供水显著降低了冬小麦开花期和灌浆期旗叶的光合速率、千粒重、穗粒数和产量.与正常供水相比,各氮肥条件下干旱胁迫和渍水胁迫处理花后旗叶光合速率及籽粒产量的减小幅度均表现为N₁＞N₂＞N₃.表明氮肥后移通过提高旗叶SPAD、减缓花后旗叶光合速率的下降幅度、增加地上部分干物质积累量,调控产量及其构成要素,以减轻逆境灾害(干旱和渍水胁迫)对产量的影响.     

Estimation of leaf water potential by thermal imagery and spatial analysis

Canopy temperature has long been recognized as an indicator of plant water status and as a potential tool for irrigation scheduling. In the present study, the potential of using thermal images for an in-field estimation of the water status of cotton under a range of irrigation regimes was investigated. Thermal images were taken with a radiometric infrared video camera. Specific leaves that appeared in the camera field of view were sampled, their LWP was measured and their temperature was calculated from the images. Regression models were built in order to predict LWP according to the crop canopy temperature and to the empirical formulation of the crop water stress index (CWSI). Statistical analysis revealed that the relationship between CWSI and LWP was more stable and had slightly higher correlation coefficients than that between canopy temperature and LWP. The regression models of LWP against CWSI and against leaf temperatures were used to create LWP maps. The classified LWP maps showed that there was spatial variability in each treatment, some of which may be attributed to the difference between sunlit and shaded leaves. The distribution of LWP in the maps showed that irrigation treatments were better distinguished from each other when the maps were calculated from CWSI than from leaf temperature alone. Furthermore, the inclusion of the spatial pattern in the classification enhanced the differences between the treatments and was better matched to irrigation amounts. Optimal determination of the water status from thermal images should be based on an overall view of the physical status as well as on the analysis of the spatial structure. Future study will involve investigating the robustness of the models and the potential of using water status maps, derived from aerial thermal images, for irrigation scheduling and variable management in commercial fields.     

华北山区侧柏冠层气孔导度特征及其对环境因子的响应

冠层气孔导度(g_s)是衡量冠层-大气界面水汽通量的重要生物学常数,研究其特征及对环境因子的响应,能为开展森林冠层水汽交换过程的机理性研究提供理论依据.于2014年利用SF-L热扩散式探针测定了侧柏的树干液流密度(J_s),同步监测光合有效辐射(PAR)、饱和水汽压差(VPD)、气温(T)等环境因子,计算侧柏的冠层气孔导度特征并分析其对各环境因子的响应.结果表明: 侧柏液流密度的日变化总体呈双峰曲线,生长季高于非生长季,且胸径越大液流密度越大;冠层气孔导度日变化与单位叶面积冠层蒸腾(E_L)趋势相近,均呈双峰曲线,生长季的冠层气孔导度和蒸腾较非生长季略高.侧柏冠层气孔导度与空气温度呈抛物线关系,在10 ℃左右冠层气孔导度达到峰谷;光合有效辐射以400 μmol·m^-2·s^-1为界,小于该阈值两者呈正相关关系,大于该阈值则冠层气孔导度受其影响较小;与饱和水汽压差呈负对数函数关系,随饱和水汽压差增大而逐渐降低.较高的空气温度和光合有效辐射、较低的饱和水汽压差有利于侧柏形成较大的冠层气孔导度,进而促进冠层蒸腾.     

Use of thermal and visible imagery for estimating crop water status of irrigated grapevine

Achieving high quality wine grapes depends on the ability to maintain mild to moderate levels of water stress in the crop during the growing season. This study investigates the use of thermal imaging for monitoring water stress. Experiments were conducted on a wine-grape (Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot) vineyard in northern Israel. Irrigation treatments included mild, moderate, and severe stress. Thermal and visible (RGB) images of the crop were taken on four days at midday with a FLIR thermal imaging system and a digital camera, respectively, both mounted on a truck-crane 15 m above the canopy. Aluminium crosses were used to match visible and thermal images in post-processing and an artificial wet surface was used to estimate the reference wet temperature (T(wet)). Monitored crop parameters included stem water potential (Psi(stem)), leaf conductance (g(L)), and leaf area index (LAI). Meteorological parameters were measured at 2 m height. CWSI was highly correlated with g(L) and moderately correlated with Psi(stem). The CWSI-g(L) relationship was very stable throughout the season, but for that of CWSI-Psi(stem) both intercept and slope varied considerably. The latter presumably reflects the non-direct nature of the physiological relationship between CWSI and Psi(stem). The highest R(2) for the CWSI to g(L) relationship, 0.91 (n=12), was obtained when CWSI was computed using temperatures from the centre of the canopy, T(wet) from the artificial wet surface, and reference dry temperature from air temperature plus 5 degrees C. Using T(wet) calculated from the inverted Penman-Monteith equation and estimated from an artificially wetted part of the canopy also yielded crop water-stress estimates highly correlated with g(L) (R(2)=0.89 and 0.82, respectively), while a crop water-stress index using 'theoretical' reference temperatures computed from climate data showed significant deviations in the late season. Parameter variability and robustness of the different CWSI estimates are discussed. Future research should aim at developing thermal imaging into an irrigation scheduling tool applicable to different crops.     

Estimating evapotranspiration and drought stress with ground-based thermal remote sensing in agriculture: a review

As evaporation of water is an energy-demanding process, increasing evapotranspiration rates decrease the surface temperature (T(s)) of leaves and plants. Based on this principle, ground-based thermal remote sensing has become one of the most important methods for estimating evapotranspiration and drought stress and for irrigation. This paper reviews its application in agriculture. The review consists of four parts. First, the basics of thermal remote sensing are briefly reviewed. Second, the theoretical relation between T(s) and the sensible and latent heat flux is elaborated. A modelling approach was used to evaluate the effect of weather conditions and leaf or vegetation properties on leaf and canopy temperature. T(s) increases with increasing air temperature and incoming radiation and with decreasing wind speed and relative humidity. At the leaf level, the leaf angle and leaf dimension have a large influence on T(s); at the vegetation level, T(s) is strongly impacted by the roughness length; hence, by canopy height and structure. In the third part, an overview of the different ground-based thermal remote sensing techniques and approaches used to estimate drought stress or evapotranspiration in agriculture is provided. Among other methods, stress time, stress degree day, crop water stress index (CWSI), and stomatal conductance index are discussed. The theoretical models are used to evaluate the performance and sensitivity of the most important methods, corroborating the literature data. In the fourth and final part, a critical view on the future and remaining challenges of ground-based thermal remote sensing is presented.     

控水条件下侧柏冠层气孔导度对土壤水的响应

建立了不同控水条件下(无降水、一半降水、自然降水和二倍降水)的侧柏样地,于2016年8月—2017年8月监测了样地土壤含水量(SWC)、降水量、液流密度(J_s)、叶面积指数(LAI)和水汽压亏缺(VPD)等因子,分析SWC对侧柏冠层气孔导度(g_s)的影响。结果表明: 一半、自然和二倍降水样地的SWC与降水量呈正相关,SWC变化范围分别为4.9%～16.0%、7.2%～22.9%、7.4%～29.6%,无降水样地的SWC在8—10月下降50%;7月的日g_s在14:00达到峰值(166.64 mmol·m^-2·s^-1),显著高于其他月份,且出现双峰现象, 1月的日g_s在12:00达到峰值(54.1 mmol·m^-2·s^-1);3个降水条件下,侧柏g_s与SWC呈负二次相关关系,且g_s达到峰值,对应的SWC分别为8.5%、12.5%和18.5%,均趋近于年平均SWC。不同控水样地内侧柏g_s对VPD的敏感性(δ)/参比冠层气孔导度(g_sref)均≥0.6,表明不同控水条件下土壤水分状况较适合侧柏蒸腾用水的需求。当SWC在3.7%～7.5%时,δ和g_sref值迅速增大,说明气孔调节能力更好,植物气孔对VPD的响应更敏感;当SWC上升到11%时,SWC变化对g_sref和g_s对VPD响应敏感性的影响不显著。可能存在侧柏产生适应状态的SWC阈值,植物体在自身的生命活动中关闭或减小气孔开度,降低叶片水势以适应过高的VPD,保护植物不会引起过度蒸腾,从而对蒸腾的调控更加有效。     

Seasonal and interannual variations of ecosystem photosynthetic characteristics in a semi-arid grassland of Northern China

北方半干旱草原生态系统光合参数的季节和年际变异 生态系统表观量子效率(α)、最大光合速率(P_max)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)不仅反映了生态系统水平 光合生理特征,同时也是碳循环模型中光合过程模拟的关键参数。气候和植被因子都会影 响光合参数的季节和年际变异,但二者在光合参数调控过程中的相对贡献和作用途径尚不清晰。本研究基于连续12年(2006–2017)的涡度相关观测数据,分析了内蒙古半干旱典型草原光合参数的季节和年际变化规律;利用回归分析和结构方程模型(SEM)方法明晰了环境和生理调控的作用途径及相对贡献。结果发现,光合参数(α、P_max和R_d)均表现出单峰的季节变化趋势,并呈现明显的年际波动。温度(T_a)和土壤含水量(SWC)的变化共同影响光合参数的季节变化,而SWC主导了其年际变异。α和R_d的变化主要由T_a决定,而Pmax的变化主要受SWC的影响。SEM模型分析表明,除了直接作用外,环境因子主要通过影响冠层水平气孔导度(gc)对光合参数和碳同化生理过程进行调控。此外,叶面积指数对光合参数特别是Pmax的季节和年际变异起主要调控作用。以上结果明确了环境和植被共同决定了生态系统水平光合参数的季节和年际变异,并强调了在水分受限的草原生态系统中,植被生理调控在光合碳同化能力和碳汇功能评估中的重要作用。     

水氮运筹对膜下滴灌棉花光合特性及产量形成的影响

以不同基因型棉花品种为材料,在土柱栽培条件下研究膜下滴灌条件下水氮运筹方式对新疆棉花光合性能和产量构成的影响.结果表明： 播前灌溉+盛花期前限量滴灌+盛花期后充分滴灌,并配合氮肥基施20%+追施80%的水氮运筹方式（W₄N₂）下,盛花期叶片叶绿素含量、气孔导度（g_s）、净光合速率（P_n）、PSⅡ实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）和光化学猝灭系数（q_P）均显著低于全生育期常规滴灌处理,非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）增加,地上部干物质累积量受到限制;盛铃期至吐絮期叶绿素含量、g_s、P_n、Φ_PSⅡ、q_P均随水氮供应量的提高而增大,地上部干物质产生超补偿积累,且有利于光合产物向棉铃的运转与分配.在氮肥基施20%+追施80%的施氮方式下,新陆早13号以播前灌溉+全生育期常规滴灌（W₃）处理的籽棉产量较高,新陆早43号以播前灌溉+盛花期前限量滴灌+盛花期后充分滴灌（W₄）处理籽棉产量最高.因此,在播前灌溉条件下适当减少盛花期前、增加生育中后期水氮供应,可以延长冠层叶片光合功能期,促进光合物质优先向生殖器官分配,充分发挥膜下滴灌棉花的增产潜力.     

Deficit irrigation for enhancing sustainable water use: Comparison of cotton nitrogen uptake and prediction of lint yield in a multivariate autoregressive state-space model

Deficit irrigation is an optimization strategy for achieving sustainability of irrigated crop production. A field-study of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) response to a limited water supply was conducted in an Alfisol in the southern High Plains of Texas. The objectives were to investigate cotton N uptake, canopy temperature, plant spectral index and lint yield variation under deficit irrigation and to provide information for enhancing sustainability of the water resources and Alfisols in the semi-arid environment. The experimental treatments were two deficit-irrigation levels at 50% and 75% of cotton evapotranspiration (ET). Plant and soil variables were measured 15 m apart along the center-pivot irrigation circles. The results show that cotton plants under the 50%-ET deficit irrigation level were 21% more water stressed (P < 0.05) based on the reflectance water index ratio. The 50%-ET irrigation resulted in a 25% lint yield loss with a 33% water saving compared to the higher irrigation level (75%-ET). Plant reflectance, canopy temperature, total N uptake and lint yield were correlated with normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), soil water content (SWC), soil NO₃-N concentrations and elevation (−0.69 < r < 0.72, P < 0.05, respectively). Future cotton lint yield is weighted on NDVI and water variation, quantified in a multivariate autoregressive state-space model. Increases in plant reflectance in the water band are signs of early plant water stress. Compared to the 12-year regional cotton lint yield obtained with full irrigation, the 75%-ET deficit irrigation would be agronomical, economical efficient in Alfisoils with only 7.8% of lint-yield loss from water stress but 25% of water saving for sustainable water use.     

Use of high resolution digital thermography to detect Heterodera schachtii infestation in sugar beets

Thermography is a non-destructive method used to monitor pest and disease infestations, as it is related to changes in plant water status. Surface temperature differences of the crop canopy may be an indicator of nematode infestation as the parasitation of the root system reduces evaporation of leaves. To test the potential of high resolution digital thermography to detect Heterodera schachtii infestation, experiments using increasing nematode densities and different sugar beet varieties were conducted. From June to August 2003 the crop canopy temperature was measured with a thermal infrared camera from a helicopter. A significant correlation between canopy temperature and nematode density was observed with the susceptible cultivar Monza whereas the resistant cultivar Paulina did not show any correlation. Mean temperature comparison showed significant differences between the lowest infestation level (500 eggs and larvae/100 ml soil) and the highest infestation level (>1500 eggs and larvae/100 ml soil). At the beginning of the season canopy temperature differences between healthy and nematode infested sugar beets were higher (approximately 1 degree C) compared to later assessment dates when the water supply in the soil was limited. Since low and high nematode infestation could be clearly distinguished with the susceptible cultivar by airborne thermal images, thermography might be a useful tool for monitoring sugar beet fields.     

Reducing plant abiotic and biotic stress: Drought and attacks of greenbugs, corn leaf aphids and virus disease in dryland sorghum

Multi-year spatial overlay patterns of plants, insects and soil water may yield insights for management for reducing biotic and abiotic stresses in dryland crops. A study of non-irrigated grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) was conducted in a Pullman clay loam on the semi-arid High Plain of Texas during 2002–2005. The objectives of the 4-year study were to understand the mechanisms of plant spatial and temporal responses to stress from drought, infestations of greenbug, corn leaf aphid (CLA) and maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) disease and soil water content (SWC) heterogeneity, and to reduce plant biotic and abiotic stress using their underlying relationships in space and time. Infrared IRt/c sensed-canopy temperature was measured at 18 or 54 sites along transects in a 6 m × 6 m grid across the years. Greenbugs, CLA, MDMV, SWC and hyperstectral reflectance were determined at each IRt/c site. Natural infestations of greenbugs and CLA on sorghum occurred in early July and insect populations peaked in late July or early August. Insect attacks resulted in plant water stress and sorghum yield loss except a late replanting in early July in 2004. Sorghum grain yield was negatively correlated with canopy temperature, greenbug and CLA (−0.38 < r < −0.75, P < 0.05), and positively correlated with SWC and plant near infrared reflectance (0.25 < r < 0.67, P < 0.05). The IRt/c temperature decreased with SWC but increased with greenbugs and CLA (0.26 < R² < 0.64). Crosscorrelation analysis showed that these insect, crop, and soil variables were correlated in space within 48–54 m. Late planting in July or spray control in late July or early August would be options to reduce dryland sorghum water stress and yield loss from drought and insect attacks.