Quantification of the impacts of excess heat and water stress on wheat genotypes at variable topographies by using drone technology

Project Details

Status: Completed
Investment: $78,940
Commodity: Wheat
Organization: Battle River Research Group
Investigator: Khalil Ahmed

The topography of agricultural landscaped modifies the crop environment changing the fluxes of water and energy, increasing risk to agriculture systems, becoming more stressed under excess heat and drought.

Why is this research important for Alberta ag?

The topography of agricultural landscaped modifies the crop environment changing the fluxes of water and energy, increasing risk to agriculture systems, becoming more stressed under excess heat and drought. To quantify how wheat production at different topography will be affected by excess temperature and drought, broad-scale assessments of vegetation responses to drought are needed to anticipate, manage, and potentially mitigate its effects on ecosystems.

This research will investigate the linkage between changes in temperature and topography concerning wheat growth and yield and how new technologies can help identify plant stress, which is essential to ensure maximum crop yield.

What benefits can producers expect from this research?

Detailed and timely visualization of cultivated crops can identify many plant stresses and be vital to informed quality decision-making.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.