Author
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Kincaid, Dennis |
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Submitted to: Transactions of the ASAE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2005 Publication Date: 10/1/2005 Citation: Kincaid, D.C. 2005. Application rates from center pivot irrigation with current sprinkler types. Transactions of the ASAE. 21(4):605-610. Interpretive Summary: Center pivot sprinkler irrigation is used on approximately 25% of the irrigated land in the U. S. due to the low labor requirement and ability to irrigate large fields. High application rates and tendency for runoff and erosion are a major concern with these systems. A method is presented to predict the average and peak application rates at any point along a center pivot lateral for the most commonly used sprinklers. These relationships will provide irrigation designers, extension personnel and irrigation equipment dealers a tool to help select the best spray device for particular soil and topographic situations. Technical Abstract: Center pivot sprinkler irrigation is increasing in popularity in the U. S. due to the low labor requirement and ability to irrigate large fields. The main problem associated with pivots continues to be the inherently high application rates and tendency for runoff and erosion on medium and fine textured soils and rolling topography. Recently developed sprinklers or spray heads can produce high application uniformity with controlled drop sizes and medium sized pattern widths at medium to low pressures. A method is presented to predict the average and peak application rates at any point along a center pivot lateral for a particular type of sprinkler. The method can be incorporated with infiltration and center pivot design models to predict when runoff might occur. |
