Evaluation of uniformity and water conveyance efficiency of spray tube irrigation system

Abstract

Irrigation water is one of the limited resources and need to be managed efficiently in order to meet crop water requirement. Thus, water resources have to be utilized in such a manner as to protect and conserve the available water reserves in the most efficient way as possible to prevent unnecessary losses and water wastage. In view of this, the research evaluates the uniformity and water conveyance efficiency of spray tube irrigation system using sixty catch cans at different spacing intervals of 0.5 m x 0.5 m, 1 m x 1 m, 1.5 m x 1.5 m and finally with 2 m x 2 m. The results shows that value of Christiansen’s coefficient of uniformity (CU) ranges from 87% to 92%, distribution uniformity (DU) ranges from 79% to 88% and scheduling coefficient (Sc) ranges from 1.13 to 1.27. Efficient performance and delivery of the spray tube irrigation system is envisaged to help cut down operational cost, water losses and to increase crop yield.