Effect of mulching on soil, canopy and leaf temperature of lentil (Lens culinaris Medick.)

In order to investigate the effect of different water stress treatments and straw mulch on soil, canopy and leaf temperature of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), an experiment was carried out as split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2012. Water stress treatments (I1, I2, I3 and I4: irrigation after 40, 70, 100 and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan, respectively) were assigned to the main plots and two mulch levels (M1 and M2: 0 and 2 ton/ha wheat straw) were allocated to the sub plots. The results of this study showed that among water stress treatments, the lowest and highest of leaf, canopy and soil temperature was observed inI1and I4 treatments, respectively. Results also showed that lentils that received 2ton/ha mulch, had a lower leaf, canopy and soil temperature. In addition, regarding to the interaction effects between water stress treatments and straw mulch, it could be concluded that irrigation of lentil after 70 mm evaporation from class A pan and application of 2 ton/ha mulch is the best combination for lentil growth and production.