Investigation of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) of Some Plants under Different Irrıgation and Climate Conditions in Turkey

Abstract

The Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) is one of the techniques used to determine the water stress of the plant by considering the canopy temperature of the plant. Effective use of water, energy and fertilizer production inputs are ensured with a properly created irrigation program. Water stress has critical importance in determining the effects that may have on the yield of plants at different stages of the growing season. In this sense, reliable estimation of crop water stress is important for proper irrigation scheduling. Especially in recent years, measurement techniques for determining the water content and level of plants have become a very valuable subject and researches are increasing in our country. CWSI was calculated from infrared canopy temperatures, ambient air temperatures and vapor pressure deficit values for the irrigation treatments. Canopy temperature is practically used in the calculation of CWSI because it is a fast method that does not have a negative effect on plants in determining the water stress level. In this study, CWSI of important crops grown in some regions in Turkey such as corn, cotton, sunflower, potato, soybean, watermelon, beans, broccoli, tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, pumpkin, squash and vineyard were examined and CWSI values were evaluated for their suitability in irrigation planning.