Irrigation scheduling using crop canopy - air temperature difference.

ABSTRACT AN irrigation scheduling model was developed using crop canopy-air temperature difference as the dependent variable and net radiation, relative humidity and available soil water as independent variables. This model was used to schedule irrigations on a corn crop during the 1980 growing season. Crop yield and water use was compared with that of corn grown under irriga-tions scheduled by use of electrical resistance blocks and a water balance (checkbook) method. The yield of the treatment irrigated with the temperature difference scheduling approach was not significantly different from that of other treatments. However, the water balance method and resistance method called for additional water applications of 39 and 18 percent, respectively, when compared to the temperature difference method.