Irrigation water management with water deficit index calculated based on oblique viewed surface temperature

In this study, the relationship between water deficit index (WDI) and a number of parameters related to soil water status, crop monitoring and yield were investigated with regard to drip irrigated dwarf green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, humilis) in Ankara, Turkey during the 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. Three different WDIs were calculated based on three different spectral indexes and oblique viewed surface temperature. Soil water status was quantified by soil water content (SWC) and soil water deficit index (SWDI). Crop evapotranspiration (ETc), leaf water potential (LWP), spectral indexes and crop water stress index (CWSI) were determined. Although the WDIs have statistically significant relationships with the parameters, it is hard to use WDIs based on oblique viewed surface temperature for irrigation scheduling purposes. However, total yield estimation and monitoring of seasonal crop water use status could be achieved through this kind of WDI.