Evaluating the Effect of Operating Pressure and Riser Height on Irrigation Water Application under Different Wind Conditions in Ethiopia

Abstract

Efficient and effective use of water resource is crucial to increase crop production. This can be achieved through uniform application of water and by reducing application losses. A field experiment was conducted at Wonji/Shoa Sugarcane Plantation (Ethiopia) to study the effect of sprinkler operating pressure and riser height on water distribution uniformity under different wind conditions. Three levels of operating pressure and two levels of sprinkler riser height, under three different wind conditions, were examined during the experiment. From the research evaporation and drift losses ranging from 11.2% to 16.4% were determined. Potential application efficiency (PAE) of 47.7% to 91.3% and actual application efficiency of low-quarter (AELQ) of 32.9% to 38.6% were achieved under various test combinations. Christiansen’s coefficient of uniformity (CU) of 71.7% to 81.7% and distribution uniformity (DU) of 56% to 75.7% were obtained under different test combinations. The results indicated that increase riser height leads to increase in sprinkler water uniformity. Higher sprinkler water uniformity and low application water loss have been encountered during low wind speed condition.