The Linear Voltage Differential Transformer (LVDT) is an accurate sensor for stem diameter measurements. Based on the results of this dissertation it was found that stem diameter [mm] was related to water content [grams] of the cotton crop by the following equation: W(D) = 0.114(D)³ˑ¹⁸² Also the ratio of stem diameter contraction rate to the rate of water loss in cotton was experimentally determined to be: (dW/dt)/(dD/dt) = (0.166 [g min⁻¹])/(0.535 [μm min⁻¹]) = (.0469% per minute)/(.0039% per minute). Similarly the cellular water potential was derived to be a non linear function of stem diameter in cotton: ψ(t) - ψₒ = 2 ε ln (D(t)/ Dₒ) + πₒDₒ² [(1/D²(t)) – (1/Dₒ²)]. Based on this work, the grower can estimate the water content, transpiration rate and water potential of the cotton crops via stem diameter measurements. Moreover, a computer system can be implemented to remotely keep track of the water status of the field, and control the irrigation system. A general model was proposed to quantify the nature of input-output relation of the cotton crop. A proposed simplified model based on stem diameter is also introduced. The stem diameter measurements can be used as an index for estimation of cotton's water content, transpiration rate, and water potential. These three parameters and the proposed simplified model established a plant based predictive irrigation scheduling technique. The electrical output of the LVDT was quite noisy. To remove the noise and demodulate the data, two cascade circuits were designed and implemented. First, the external output circuit removed the noise and isolated the LVDT. Second, the LVDT signal conditioner demodulated the phase information from the secondary windings which were produced by the movement of the rod. By the implementation of these circuits, 1 m of the rod displacement resulted in 1.14 mv of dc voltage changes in the output.

Plants under variable water stress exhibit a contraction of their stem diameter. This variation can be monitored to determine the plant water status which, in turn, will lead us to a method of scheduling subsequent irrigation. In this dissertation, the possibility of determining the water status in cotton plants by automatically sensing their stem diameter variation was explored. A full description of the displacement sensor, the electronic circuits used for automatic stem diameter monitoring and the data analysis is given. Simultaneous measurement of the leaf water potential and the stem diameter variation were done for a total of eight days during an irrigation cycle. Statistical analysis was performed to infer the water status in the plant from the stem diameter variation. It was discovered that the stem diameter variation lags the water potential by two hours, and that there was no simple linear correlation between them. In fact, it was discovered that the stem diameter variation was not only a function of the leaf water potential of the plant as it was believed; but indeed, it is also a function of the soil water condition. According to the results obtained, a basic model to describe the relationship between the stem diameter variation and the plant and soil water condition was developed.

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