EVALUATION OF A SINGLE SPRINKLER UNDER EGYPTIAN MICROCLIMATE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Single leg tests were conducted to determine performance of two different sprinkler that can be used in impact sprinkler irrigation systems design operating at 100, 200 and 300 kPa. The different two sprinklers HS2803 and Gardena impulse sprinkler were tested for coefficient of uniformity (CU), soil moisture content (MC) and EC (electrical conductivity) at three different pressure points for two different microclimate screen greenhouse and no tillage field conditions. As well as the experimental carried out at three different riser height of the sprinkler 0.6 m , 1.0 m and 1.2 m. Radial leg tests have been previously performed to find the water distribution pattern. Afterwards both outdoor single-sprinkler irrigation tests have been also performed to know the water distribution pattern distorted by microclimate conditions spatially the wind action. Results show that the main factors to be controlled are: the wind speed, the sprinkler type and the riser height. Results showed that higher Coefficients of Uniformity (CU) are attained with HS2803 three armed sprinkler than with a single impulse sprinkler under low wind speeds in screen greenhouse. As well as, the maximum values of coefficient uniformity CU percent under screen greenhouse conditions were 93.7% and 89.5% for HS2803 and Gardena impulse sprinkler at 300 kPa respectively. The soil moisture contents at 300 kPa operating pressure and 0.6 riser height under field conditions were 39.6 % compared to 26.7 for HS2803 sprinkler and Gardena impulse sprinkler respectively. The soil conductivity (EC) at 300 kPa operating pressure under field conditions were 2.1 cmSm-1, 2.4 cmSm-1 and 2.6 cmSm-1 compared to 3.9 cmSm-1, 4.1 cmSm-1 and 4.4 cmSm-1 for HS2803 sprinkler and Gardena impulse sprinkler respectively.