Cotton Canopy Temperature As a Means of Identifying Crop Stress and Its Relationship with Photosynthesis and Yield

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) was grown at the Texas A&M Research farm in Burleson County, TX under a sub-surface drip irrigation system during 2012 and 2013. Canopy temperatures were measured constantly throughout the growing season using infrared thermometers (IRTs). Photosynthesis measurements were taken with a LICOR 6400 between 10:00am to 2:00pm in three different crop developmental stages. The objective of the study was to demonstrate the usefulness of canopy temperature data to help identify crop stress in managing decision making in cotton production and its relationship with photosynthetic rates and final yield.