Canopy Temperatures of Barley as Influenced by Morphological Characteristics1

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Abstract
Canopy temperature under a set of environmental conditions is an integrated result of the energy absorption and dissipation mechanisms acting within the canopy. The relative magnitude of these various mechanisms may affect the amount and efficiency of water use. We studied the influence of different morphological features such as plant color, awn length, and waxiness on canopy temperatures of field grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Morphological differences were obtained by using barley lines isogenic for the various features. Canopy temperatures were measured with an infrared thermometer on five different dates within a 21‐day period after heading. Light‐colored plants were significantly cooler (5% level) than normal‐colored plants. Awn length significantly (5% level) affected canopy temperatures of a sixrow variety; awned canopies were cooler than awnless. Awn length did not affect the canopy temperatures of a two‐row variety. Waxiness did not affect canopy temperatures. Calculations indicate that differences in canopy temperatures due to plant morphology could significantly affect water use.

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