Infrared Radiometry as a Tool for Early Water Deficit Detection: Insights into Its Use for Establishing Irrigation Calendars for Potatoes Under Humid Conditions

Low radiation is one of the most important factors which limits potential yield in potato. Under humid conditions, the dominance of diffuse radiation not only imposes challenges for radiation use efficiency in crops but also limits the water status surveillance through non-invasive methods like infrared radiometry. This study was carried out in the humid desert of the Peruvian central coast with the aim to relate maximum stomatal conductance (g(s_max), an important water status indicator) with leaf and air temperature (dT) and crop water stress index (CWSI). In a potted trial, g(s_max) vs. dT were compared along the day in well-irrigated (field capacity) and water restricted (half field capacity) plants. In an additional field experiment, CWSI was validated by testing two irrigation timing treatments with pre-established g(s_max) threshold (0.15 [T1] and 0.50 [T2] mol H2O m(-2) s(-1)) against a control (frequently irrigated). An acute stomatal closure sensitivity was detected which drove a g(s_max) fall (gs down arrow) near the solar noon. The intense stomatal closure caused a dT rise which showed positive higher values (>2 degrees C) after g(s)down arrow. The significant yield reduction of T1 in relation to the control (-38.2 +/- 10.7%) highlighted that g(s_max) values >0.15 must be used to warrant a high potato yield. These findings support the use of CWSI values <= 0.3-0.4 as thresholds for an appropriate irrigation in potatoes with assessments taken at around 15:00 hours, time in which plants have accumulated enough radiation allowing an appropriate detection of thermal emission under humid conditions.