Performance Evaluation of Hose-Reel Sprinkler Irrigation System

Abstract

In Pakistan, surface irrigation methods are commonly used to grow crops to meet the demand of ever-increasing population. The practicing methods of agricultural water applications usually result in excessive losses of water due to non-uniformity, over irrigation etc. To combat such a situation, present-day application methods need to be replaced by efficient ones. Sprinkler is one of methods of irrigation water applications that can bring in more efficiency. However, the sprinkler too needs to be suitably designed and managed under different site-specific conditions. The performance evaluation of a system is the primary need to determine the suitability of a system under a specific crop-growing environment. In order to meet the primary requirement, a hose-reel system was selected and evaluated under this study. In addition to its technical performance parameters, the adoptability by small farmers, ease and simplicity in operation and maintenance etc. were also studied. Application and distribution uniformity were the main parameters, which were determined by adopting standard methods of evaluation. Thus, the major variable was the operating pressures under which the system was operated and results were compiled. Application efficiency and distribution uniformity of hose-reel sprinkler system were found to be varied from 71 to 76% and 66 to 74% with the respective base pressure range of 0.38–0.46MPa, respectively. This sprinkling system has higher efficiency than the traditional flood irrigation methods by saving water more than 30%. It is easy to move and operate, is cost effective, and is suitable for all soil types and small land holdings.