Recent advances in crop water stress detection

In order to meet the demand for increased global food production under limited water resources, implementation of suitable irrigation scheduling technique is crucial, particularly in irrigated basins experiencing water stress. Optimizing water use in agriculture requires innovations in detection of plant water stress, at various stages of the growing season to minimize crop physiological damage, and yield loss. Remotely sensed plant stress indicators, based on the visible and near-infrared spectral regions, have the advantage of high spatial and spectral resolutions, low cost, and quick turnaround time. This paper outlines recent developments in monitoring crop water stress, for scheduling irrigation, some of the constraints experienced, and future research needs.