Reflectance indices indicative of changes in water and pigment contents of peanut and wheat leaves

Measurements of reflectance in visible and near-infrared spectral regions were made on detached leaves of two crop species of different leaf morphology, structure, and water content (peanut and wheat) throughout progressive desiccation. Relative water content (RWC) was well correlated with water index (WI) but even better with the ratio of WI and normalized difference vegetation index. RWC was also significantly correlated with structural independent pigment index indicative of carotenoids/ chlorophyll ratio. New indication is thus provided to assess leaf water content and apply simple and fast radiometric techniques for plant water stress management.