Capacity of center pivot systems and emitter discharges for citrus irrigation. A case study

Abstract

Introduction— Given the reduction in water resources, irrigation should be carried out with the highest application efficiency. Irrigation pivots achieve application efficiencies close to localized systems; however, for citrus irrigation, the equations available for its design and management do not contribute to the efficient and rational use of water. Objective— Adapt the expression of the capacity of the machine and propose a new formulation for the discharge of the emitters, to adequately describe the operation of the central pivots for citrus irrigation. Methodology— Logical research methods were used and within these, the historical method and the deductive logic, to obtain the adequacy and the new equations presented. Results— The expression of the α coefficient was obtained to adapt the expression of the capacity of the machine and two new equations to calculate the necessary discharges of the emitters. They were applied to a case study. Conclusions— It was confirmed that the center pivot machines to irrigate citrus obtain water consumption and application efficiency comparable could with localized irrigation systems.