Abstract
Irrigation uniformity and wind drift and evaporation losses (WDEL) are major concerns for the design and management of sprinkler irrigation systems under arid or semi-arid conditions. Field trials were carried out to assess irrigation uniformity and WDEL under various wind velocities, sprinkler spacings and operating pressure heads. Based on experimental data, a frequency analysis was performed to infer the occurrence probability of a given uniformity coefficient (UC). In addition, statistical regressions were used to model WDEL as a function of different climatic variables. Increasing the operating pressure head improved uniformity at low wind speeds. It was shown that UC has been severely impaired at wind speeds above 4 m/s. In the prevailing wind conditions, the frequency analysis showed that a sprinkler spacing of 12 m × 12 m provided the best uniformity. In the local conditions, it is recommended to stop irrigation when wind velocity exceeds 4 m/s. Moreover, it was shown that wind speed and relative humidity were the main significant variables influencing WDEL.
Highlights
Arid and semi-arid regions are characterized by an acute imbalance between rainfall and evapotranspiration
Pereira [8] stressed that on-farm sprinkler irrigation performance depends on wind speed, pressure head variation, nozzle diameter and shape, sprinkler layout and spacing, soil infiltration and farmer skills
Field trials were designed in accordance with local sprinkler irrigation practices, namely the range of operating pressure heads and the sprinkler spacing
Summary
Arid and semi-arid regions are characterized by an acute imbalance between rainfall and evapotranspiration. The tough competition between the water demands of agricultural, industrial and urban water sectors is becoming a serious concern [1] It is against this backdrop that the improvement of on-farm irrigation efficiency is becoming a must: it permits to conserve water and better valorizes it. This objective may be achieved by using pressurized irrigation systems. The high cost of switching from surface to pressurized irrigation systems currently limits the adoption of modern irrigation systems in the study area [3]. Field trials are essential in upgrading on-farm sprinkler irrigation design and management
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