Field evaluation of a prototype self-drawn sprinkler irrigation

In Egypt, surface irrigation methods are commonly used to grow crops to meet the demand of the ever-increasing population. A big share of water is lost in agriculture during conventional means of irrigation. A sprinkler is one of the methods of irrigation water applications that can bring more efficiency. The main aim of this research was to field evaluation of a prototype self-drawn sprinkler irrigation to fit the conditions of the Egyptian agriculture. The field experiments were conducted in Aswan University Stadium, Egypt. The sprinkler was tested by using a nozzle that has rated discharge of 11.3 m3/h under three forward speed 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 km/hr. The results indicated that the percentage increase in moisture content was 43, 32 and 24% for travel speeds S1, S2 and S3, respectively. The uniformity and distribution coefficients as well as depth of water application were lower at the end, the highest and lowest values of Cu were 72.45 % and 56.16% and the highest and lowest values of Du were 60.40% and 40.66 % for nozzle for different speeds, the throw range 48 m for nozzle 12 mm at 4 bars. Non-uniform water application leads to over or under irrigation in various parts of the field which can result in wasted water and energy.