One of the variables used for this purpose is the crop canopy temperature (T C), which depends on crop transpiration rates and therefore, on the crop water status. Alternatively, other soil and atmospheric variables are measured, which allow for an indirect, remote, and continuous estimation of the crop water status. Nonetheless, its measurement procedure is destructive, non-automatable, and time-consuming, limiting its use for continuous monitoring and large plantations. The midday stem water potential (Ψ stem) is considered as the reference indicator of the crop water status.

To avoid these negative effects, it is necessary to supervise the crop water status by means of physiological indicators.

However, the application of deficit irrigation generates water stress in the plant, which may have a detrimental effect on the quantity and quality of the yield, as well as on the plant’s health. These strategies are based on the reduction in irrigation endowment during non-critical periods for the crop. Consequently, the objective of optimizing water consumption for irrigated agriculture has been widely addressed in the scientific literature, leading to the proposal of alternative irrigation techniques such as RDI strategies. Global population growth and climate change will accentuate the need for a more efficient use of water resources. A strong correlation (R 2 = 0.976) between the two sensors was obtained, demonstrating the suitability of the experimental thermal sensor to monitor the crop canopy temperature for irrigation management.Īgriculture in arid and semi-arid regions is mainly constrained by water scarcity. ‘Wonderful’) and was compared with a commercial IR. The thermal sensor was tested in field conditions by performing continuous measurements on pomegranate trees ( Punica granatum L. Alternatively, in this paper, we assess the performance of a low-cost thermal sensor based on thermographic imaging technology for the same purpose. Infrared Radiometers (IRs) are considered as the reference tool for temperature-based water status monitoring in crops. This feedback is provided by physical indicators from the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum, as is the case of the crop canopy temperature, which can be used for the indirect estimation of crop water stress. For a successful implementation, these strategies require continuous feedback of the soil and crop water status. Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid areas has led to the development of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies on most species of fruit trees in order to improve water productivity.

Flir lepton raspberry pi 4