Leaf Temperature as an Index to Determine the Irrigation Interval

  Abstract     Evapotranspiration and plant water absorption reduce when exposed to water stress and this reduction results in an increase in leaf temperature. To determine the effect of water stress on leaf temperature and timing of irrigation using leaf temperature, a research was conducted on the Research and Education Greenhouse Production Center of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan). This study was conducted in controlled conditions and soilless culture of cucumber, tomato, pepper and strawberry. The index of difference between the temperature of air and leaf (ΔT= TAir –TLeaf ) showed leaf temperature which then could indicate the amount of water absorbed by the root therefore, transpiration rates were measured. With an acceptable coefficient of determination model, we concluded that this index (difference between the temperature of air and leaf) was dependent on the intake of water from the roots and leaf transpiration rate, so it can be used as an indicator to determine the time of irrigation.     Abbreviation: VPD: Vapor Pressure Deficit, PAR: Photosynthetically Active Radiation, RH: Relative Humidity, ΔT = TAir –TLeaf.