Abstract
The center pivot irrigation system is a type of irrigation technology used to apply water effectively and uniformly over a wide variety of areas and topographies. These irrigation systems’ uniformity of water application greatly affects water use, energy consumption, and crop production. Performance tests of the standard lateral galvanized and modified polyethylene plastic pipes in the center pivot irrigation systems were conducted in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Water distribution depths along the laterals, coefficient of uniformity (CU), and distribution uniformity of the low quarter (DU) were determined. The results revealed that profiles of water distribution ranged from 4 to 14 mm for the standard-center pivot irrigation systems, while those for the modified-center pivot irrigation systems ranged from 6.5 to 50 mm. Standard-center pivot irrigation systems’ CU values ranged from 74 to 90%, with an average of 86%. In comparison, the modified-center pivot irrigation systems’ CU values ranged from 62 to 83%, with an average of 78%. The DU values ranged from 60 to 82% for the standard-center pivot irrigation systems, with an overall average of 77%. For the modified-center pivot irrigation systems, the DU values, in contrast, ranged from 31 to 75%, with an average of 65%. Thus, the accuracy and uniformity of the standard-center pivot irrigation systems are superior to those that have been modified. Additionally, a statistical model was developed to investigate the relationship between the water losses and the main climatic factors under field operating conditions. Therefore, the study results are expected to draw attention to standard lateral pipes’ value on the one hand and demonstrate the detrimental consequences of growers’ incorrect practices in pivot irrigation systems, motivating them to take strong action against these activities, on the other hand.
Highlights
Center pivots are a technologically advantageous irrigation option, as they have a very high performance
The higher applied depths were mainly due to the changes in lateral configuration introduced by the farmers, resulting in pressure variations, incorrect nozzling, inaccurate water patterns, and lateral leakage
Replacing the standard lateral galvanized pipes with modified polyethylene plastic ones in the center pivot irrigation systems is popular among Saudi Arabian farmers
Summary
Center pivots are a technologically advantageous irrigation option, as they have a very high performance. In today’s irrigation developments all over the world, center pivots are widely used. A center pivot irrigation system consists basically of a pipeline (lateral) fitted with wheels and motorized structures (towers) [1]. The irrigation pivot is positioned in the center of the field, allowing the entire system to rotate around the point of its center of gravity. Sprinkler outlets are mounted on top of the pipeline, which is supported by steel trusses between tower structures. Each tower has a motor of 1 hp and is set on two large wheels, usually 30 to 60 m apart [1]
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