Use of a Wireless Sensor-Based Irrigation System to Improve Water Use Efficiency In Diseased Wheat.

Wheat streak mosaic vectored by the curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer) can cause widespread loss of grain yield in the Texas High Plains region where irrigation is typically by center pivot irrigation systems. Often farmers will continue to irrigate diseased patches that will not yield anything because the disease is not visible until later in the season. However, if patches of the infected wheat can be detected, individual drop hoses can be controlled and irrigations can be withheld over infected areas that have little promise of producing profitable yield. A wireless sensor network of infrared thermometers (IRTs), geo-positioning unit, and spectral radiometers with filters in the visible and near infrared wavelengths were mounted onto a pivot lateral over winter wheat (varieties, TAMU 112 and Karl 92) in the spring of 2011. Treatment plots were arranged in a split-plot design and consisted of three irrigation levels, four inoculation dates to simulate infection over time, and control (non-inoculated) plots. Irrigation levels were 100%, 67% and 33% replenishment of soil water capacity. Our hypothesis is that the data from the wireless sensors can be used to remotely detect patches of  Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV).