Project Number: 6657-13000-008-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 13, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to evaluate spatial variability for plant growth and water status in a coastal plain cotton field with center pivot irrigation.

Approach:
A cotton field that is watered with a center pivot will be used on the cooperator¿s farm. Ten 0.1-ha areas under the center pivot will be monitored. Selection of sites will be based on slope and surface soil texture. Soil water content will be determined regularly through the growing season using soil water sensors. Crop water status will be monitored by measuring stomatal conductance of uppermost fully expanded leaves (minimum of five leaves per 0.1-ha area) with a Decagon Leaf Porometer (Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA). Leaf area index will be determined with a Li-Cor LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Sensor (Li-Cor Inc., Lincoln, NE). Upon canopy closure, a thermal imaging camera will be used to measure canopy temperature during periods of high soil-water deficit stress.