A REFLECTANCE-BASED METHOD FOR ESTIMATING TRANSPIRATIONAL WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN MAIZE EXPOSED TO DROUGHT STRESS

Citation

Wang, T.C., Ma, B.L., Xiong, Y.C., Li, F.M. (2012). A REFLECTANCE-BASED METHOD FOR ESTIMATING TRANSPIRATIONAL WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN MAIZE EXPOSED TO DROUGHT STRESS. Journal of Plant Nutrition, [online] 35(5), 651-663. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2012.636128

Abstract

A novel measurement technique was developed to remotely sense transpirational water use efficiency (WUE T). Maize (Zea mays) crop was grown under three water regimes of 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 times of water surface evaporation (Ep). WUE T was evaluated and compared with leaf reflectance. Our data showed that drought stress significantly decreased leaf area, leaf water content and WUE T Leaf reflectance near the red edge spectrum varied with water regimes and growth stages. Importantly, WUE T was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with reflectance near the 760-nm. At the V9 and V12 stages and compared with those of well irrigated treatments, the first derivative reflectance peak of 0.75 Ep was left-shifted to shorter wavelengths. Our study provides an experimental evidence for the red edge-WUE T relationship, and suggests that reflectance at the 760-nm could be used as a rapid and instant physiological tool to quantitatively assess WUE Tat the leaf level. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Publication date

2012-03-01

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