Assessment of peach trees water status and leaf gas exchange using on-the-ground versus airborne-based thermal imagery

The thermal region of the electromagnetic spectrum might provide valuable information for assessing plant water status. Nevertheless, plant’s physiology and scale measurement, (e.g. sensor viewing geometry canopy aggregation) are critical quantifiying monitoring stress. This study compares Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) a peach orchard obtained using on-the-ground, airborne-based temperature (Tc). temporal evolution CWSI under mild stress conditions was assessed three different irrigation strategies (over-irrigation, OI; farmer irrigation, FI; non-irrigation, NI). Two aerial campaigns per season (2017–2018) were performed with an airborne sensor: first flight well-watered conditions, second once developed. At time flights, Tc net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) stem potential (?s) measured on ground hand-held camera, portable gas exchange system pressure chamber, respectively. from averaging sunlit shaded parts canopy, agreed that derived measurements (Y=1.00X; RMSE= 1.97 K). values calculated both approaches detected status strategies. In general, ?s better predicted aircraft (R² up to 0.72 versus R2 =0.51 measurements), whereas use preferred estimating gs Pn 0.73 0.74 =45 0.56 aircraft). Regardless approach used deriving Tc, due consideration meteorological (i.e dates), provided relationship than latter more closely related Pn.