Rapid Estimation of Water Stress in Choy Sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) Using Integrative Approach

Abstract

To optimize crop water consumption and adopt water-saving measures such as precision irrigation, early identification of plant water status is critical. This study explores the effectiveness of estimating water stress in choy sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) grown in pots in greenhouse conditions using Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and crop vegetation indicators to improve irrigation water management. Data on CWSI and Spectral reflectance were collected from choy sum plants growing in sandy loam soil with four different soil field capacities (FC): 90–100% FC as no water stress (NWS); 80–90% FC for light water stress (LWS); 70–80% FC for moderate water stress (MWS); and 60–70% FC for severe water stress (SWS). With four treatments and three replications, the experiment was set up as a completely randomized design (CRD). Throughout the growing season, plant water stress tracers such as leaf area index (LAI), canopy temperature (Tc), leaf relative water content (LRWC), leaf chlorophyll content, and yield were measured. Furthermore, CWSI estimated from the Workswell Wiris Agro R Infrared Camera (CWSIW) and spectral data acquisition from the Analytical Spectral Device on choy sum plants were studied at each growth stage. NDVI, Photochemical Reflectance Index positioned at 570 nm (PRI570), normalized PRI (PRInorm), Water Index (WI), and NDWI were the Vegetation indices (VIs) used in this study. At each growth stage, the connections between these CWSIW, VIs, and water stress indicators were statistically analyzed with R2 greater than 0.5. The results revealed that all VIs were valuable guides for diagnosing water stress in choy sum. CWSIW obtained from this study showed that Workswell Wiris Agro R Infrared Camera mounted on proximal remote sensing platform for assessing water stress in choy sum plant was rapid, non-destructive, and user friendly. Therefore, integrating CWSIW and VIs approach gives a more rapid and accurate approach for detecting water stress in choy sum grown under greenhouse conditions to optimize yield by reducing water loss and enhancing food security and sustainability.

AI-Based UAV Swarms for Monitoring and Disease Identification of Brassica Plants Using Machine Learning: A Review

“…However, these sensors are subject to many environmental factors such as wind speed, rainfall, sunlight, and extreme temperature. In [46], thermal infrared images using WWARIC Workswell Wiris Agro R Infrared Camera (WWARIC) and hyperspectral images using Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) were captured of choy sum for estimating water stress. Results showed that this combined technique is non-destructive and rapid.…”

Effect of deficit irrigation on Helianthus annuus L. plants in containers

“…Due to what has been raised, surface temperature measurement through thermographic cameras has been widely used in various fields in recent years (Budzier and Gerlach, 2018). Among the various benefits provided by thermography, its easy handling at the time of capturing the thermal image stands out, as well as its wide spatial resolution in one or several objects simultaneously (Harrap et al, 2018), this involves detecting plant water stress in time, a situation that helps to optimize irrigation with the intention of enhancing the plant to an optimal production, this in the medium term, leads to the economic performance of the plantation, as well as sustainability until the harvest is achieved (Al Aasmi et al 2022).…”