Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MT_2025_Adhikari

UAS-derived CWSI and ET for irrigation scheduling in wheat in Montana

Institute: Montana
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $2,500 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Safal Adhikari

Project Summary: This proposal focuses on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to estimate the crop water stress index (CWSI) and evapotranspiration (ET), enabling precise and timely irrigation scheduling. By adopting data-driven irrigation strategies tailored to Montana's unique conditions, we can enhance water productivity and sustain wheat production amidst the challenges of a changing climate.