The mean value of gaussian distribution of excess green index: A new crop water stress indicator

Abstract The study proposed a new crop water stress indicator - the mean value of Gaussian distribution of excess green index for maize canopy (MGDEXG) within an RGB image. A series of RGB images were collected in a maize field under varying levels of deficit irrigation during 2013, 2015 and 2016 growth seasons in northern Colorado. To evaluate the sensitivity of MGDEXG to maize water status, canopy temperature, canopy-to-air temperature difference, crop water stress index (CWSI), leaf water potential, and sap flow were used as water status references. The results show that MGDEXG distinguished different levels of deficit irrigation treatments well and responded to the release and reimposition of deficit irrigation. The MGDEXG showed a significant correlation (p