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Radiative balance and temperature of differently pigmented cotton canopies

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Abstract

Pigments are known to modify the spectral properties of foliage, which in turn affect the amount of radiant energy stored by the plant canopy. Studies have shown that red pigments (anthocyanin) increase leaf absorptivity of solar radiation, but little is known about their effect on canopy net radiation and temperature. We hypothesized that increased absorptivity of solar radiation caused by red pigments would result in higher canopy temperature when compared to that of a green canopy. To better understand the role of red pigments on canopy net radiation and temperature, we conducted a study where we measured leaf spectral properties, canopy spectral reflectivity, stomatal conductance, net radiation, and leaf and canopy temperature of red and green cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) canopies. On average, albedo of the red canopy was 0.02 lower than that of the green canopy, and most of the differences in reflected solar irradiance were in near-infrared wavelengths. Red canopy had greater net radiation than the green canopy throughout the measurement period, and that was due to its lower albedo. Red canopy was about 1 °C warmer than the green canopy on average; however, computer simulation indicates that albedo was of secondary importance in controlling canopy temperature. Contrary to our hypothesis, results suggest that lower stomatal conductance in the red leaves was the main driver of canopy temperature differences between red and green canopies.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr. C.W. Smith for providing the seeds of the materials used in this study and Dr. J.A. Landivar, Mrs. A. Maeda, and the personnel from the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi for maintaining the research plots during the study period.

Funding

Funding for this research was provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7620, 101 Derieux Street, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Henrique D. R. Carvalho

  2. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Kevin J. McInnes & James L. Heilman

  3. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock, TX, 79403, USA

    Murilo M. Maeda

Authors
  1. Henrique D. R. Carvalho
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  2. Kevin J. McInnes
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  3. James L. Heilman
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  4. Murilo M. Maeda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henrique D. R. Carvalho.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Highlights

• Red pigments increased leaf absorptivity of solar radiation.

• Red canopies had lower albedo and greater net radiation than green canopies.

• Red canopies were warmer than green canopies.

• Red leaves had lower stomatal conductance than green leaves.

• Stomatal conductance was the main mechanism controlling canopy temperature.

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Carvalho, H.D.R., McInnes, K.J., Heilman, J.L. et al. Radiative balance and temperature of differently pigmented cotton canopies. Int J Biometeorol 66, 591–600 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-021-02221-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-021-02221-x

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