Automated irrigation is effective in optimizing water use in irrigation. The study presents the application of environmental canopy sensing based Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) to develop a highly effective sprinkler based irrigation system. Field experiments were utilized for observing plant canopy temperature and soil moisture status. CWSI of 0.35 resulted in maximum water use efficiency and optimum yield of wheat crop. CWSI approach resulted in 10-15% water savings in comparison to soil moisture based irrigation. Based on results of field experiments, an automated approach is proposed, in which the CWSI will be used to trigger the sprinkler irrigation system at critical levels of stresses.
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