Sprinkler irrigation

Can be defined as a pressurized irrigation system where pressurized water is delivered through a network of pipes to sprinklers, nozzles, or jets which spray the water into the air to fall to the soil as an artificial rain

Basic components of a sprinkler system

In addition, flow meters and pressure gauges are sometimes added to monitor system performance.

Types of Sprinkler Systems

Many types of sprinkler devices and sprinkler systems are available. Sprinkler irrigation systems exist in various shapes, sizes, costs, and capabilities. Descriptions of the more common types are given below.

Portable (or Hand-Move) Sprinkler System

These systems employ a lateral pipeline with sprinklers installed at a regular interval(s), a quick-coupling or non quick-coupling connection at each pipe joint is used. The sprinkler is installed on a pipe riser so that it may operate above the crop being grown (in orchards, the riser may be short so that these types of sprinklers operate under the tree canopy). The sprinkler lateral is placed in one location and operated until the desired water application has been made. Then the lateral line is disassembled and moved to the next position to be irrigated. This type of sprinkler system has a low initial cost but a high labor requirement. It can be used on most crops, though with some, such as corn, the laterals become difficult to move as the crop reaches maturity.

Solid Set and Permanent Systems

Sprinklers irrigate at a fixed position, enough laterals are placed in the field so that it is not necessary to move the pipe during the season. The laterals are controlled by valves, which direct the water into the laterals irrigating at any particular moment. A permanent system is a solid set system where the main supply lines and the sprinkler laterals are buried and left in place permanently (this is usually done with PVC or HDPE plastic pipe).

Traveling Gun System

This system utilizes a high volume, high pressure sprinkler (called “gun”) mounted on a trailer, with water being supplied through a flexible hose or from an open ditch along which the trailer passes. The gun may be operated in a stationary position for the desired time and then moved to the next location. However, the most common use is as a continuous move system, where the gun sprinkles as it moves. The gun used is usually a part-circle sprinkler, operating through 80–90% of the circle for best uniformity and allowing the trailer to move ahead on dry ground. These systems can be used on most crops.

Side Roll System

The side roll sprinkler system is best suited for rectangular fields. The lateral line is mounted on wheels, with the pipe forming the axle. The wheel height is selected so that the axle clears the crop as it is moved. A drive unit (usually an air-cooled gasoline-powered engine located near the center of the lateral) is used to move the system from one irrigation position to another by rolling the wheels.

Center Pivot and Linear Move Systems

The center pivot system consists of a single sprinkler lateral supported by a series of towers. The towers are self-propelled so that the lateral rotates around a pivot point in the center of the irrigated area. The time for the system to revolve through one complete circle can range from half a day to many days. The longer the lateral, the faster the end of the lateral travels and the larger the area irrigated by the end section. Thus, the water application rate must increase with distance from the pivot to deliver an even application amount. Since the center pivot irrigates a circle, it leaves the corners of the field unirrigated (unless additions of special equipment are made to the system). Center pivots are capable of irrigating most field crops but have on occasion been used on tree and vine crops. You can learn more about center pivot system here

Capabilities and Limitations of Sprinkler System

Soil Type

Sprinklers adapt to a range of soil and topographic conditions. Light sandy soils are well suited to sprinkler irrigation systems. Most soils can be irrigated with the sprinkler method, although soils with an intake rate below 0.2 in./h may require special measures.

Field Shape and Topography

In general, sprinklers can be used on any topography that can be farmed or cropped. Land leveling is not normally required. Odd-shaped fields cannot be easily irrigated with certain types of sprinkler systems such as center pivots.

Crops

Nearly all crops can be irrigated with some type of sprinkler system, though the characteristics of the crop, especially the height, must be considered in system selection. Sprinklers are sometimes used to germinate seed and establish ground cover for crops like lettuce, alfalfa, and sod. The light, frequent applications that are desirable for this purpose are easily achieved with some sprinkler systems.

Water Quantity and Quality

Leaching salts from the soil for reclamation can be done with sprinklers using much less water than is required by flooding methods (although a longer time is required to accomplish the reclamation). This is particularly important in areas with a high water table.

Efficiencies

Both the center pivot and the linear move systems are capable of very high efficiency water applications. Financial Involvement and Labor Requirement Sprinkler irrigation requires high capital investment but has low irrigation labor requirements.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of sprinkler systems include the following: readily automatable, facilitates to chemigation and fertigation, reduced labor requirements needed for irrigation.

Adaptable to a wide range of soil and topographic conditions.

A disadvantage of sprinkler irrigation is that many crops (citrus, for example) are sensitive to foliar damage when sprinkled with saline waters. Other disadvantages of sprinkler systems are the initially high installation cost and high maintenance cost thereafter (when needed).

Choosing a Sprinkler Type

When choosing a sprinkler type for irrigation, there are several considerations:

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