GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SPRINKLER IRRIGATION
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SPRINKLER IRRIGATION METHOD The applications of surface irrigation (flood irrigation) methods are not productive in the fields whose surface is not smooth; having more slope and infiltration (water intake) speed is high. The surface irrigation (flood irrigation) is not economical due to the decrease of the flow length also in the lands where the water intake speed is high. In this sort of soils, the ideal irrigation is the sprinkler irrigation. Taking some of these cases into consideration, sprinkler irrigation method has found a wide application fields especially in developed countries due to many advantages it provides. WHAT IS SPRINKLER IRRIGATION METHOD? The system which is composed of pipes with the nozzles or heads which spray water on the surface of land under a certain pressure in fine drops of rain forms is called “Sprinkler Irrigation Method.” In the Sprinkler Irrigation method, the irrigation water which is sprinkled in the air under pressure through the sprinklers which are fitted at certain distances on the field, falls on the surface of the ground and stored in the root zone of the plant penetrating into the soil through infiltration. This irrigation method is named sprinkler irrigation method as it looks like a natural rain. In order to give water under pressure through the heads, it is necessary to have a pressured pipe system and the operational pressure should be given either through a pump unit or through gravity by placing the water supply in a higher place. At least 2.5 atm pressure is needed to enable the sprinkle irrigation system operates productively. So in order to apply the method, water conveying system consisting of main and lateral lines and a system to provide the pressure are required. The pressure is mainly provided from a pumping unit. The sprinklers complete the system. THE ELEMENTS OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM a) Water source : All sorts of water sources can be used in this method. So, it could be any of the running water, lake, caisson wells, deep well, pond, dam, irrigation canal, etc. The water is needed to be suitable for irrigation in terms of quality and not containing much amount of sediment and floating matters; otherwise, these matters will cause blockages in the pipe lines and sprinklers. b) Pump unit: The necessary operational pressure is usually provided through pump unit in the sprinkler irrigation systems. On the conditions where the static suction height is not too much, centrifuge type; deep well pumps with vertical shafts or submersible pumps are used in the deep wells. The pumps are operated either using liquid fuel or electricity. The electrical motor pumps are preferred because of the ease of operational facility, establishment cost and the economy it provides in the energy inputs. c) Pipe Lines: The main pipe line conveys water which is taken from the source to the lateral pipe lines. The lateral pipe lines are the ones where the sprinklers exist on. They convey the water they get from the main pipe line to the sprinklers. d) Sprinklers: These parts take place on the lateral pipe lines. The connection between the lateral pipe lines and sprinklers are provided with the riser pipes which are selected according to the plant height. WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION CONDITIONS OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION METHOD? If the sprinkler irrigation systems are operated in a proper way, the needs of the irrigation water will become significantly less in comparison to surface irrigation. Particularly, it results successful outcomes with the irrigation of shoal rooted plants in the lands whose surface is not smooth, high-sloped, and the straining speed is high. In the sprinkler irrigation method, a certain initial investment and energy costs are required in the beginning. If these costs can be covered by agricultural product increase implementing the method, the sprinkler irrigation systems can be developed. As the sprinkler irrigation methods require less workmanship, it has found a wide application field in the places where the labor costs are high or it is hard to find labors. 1. The usable water holding capacity of the soils: The plants can benefit from the water available between the field capacity in the soil and constant fading point. This moist amount is called the “Usable water holding capacity” or the “efficient capacity” of the soil. This is changeable according to the structure of the soil. Soil Structure Usable water keeping capacity (mm/1m) Limits Rough sand Rough sand and thin sand Rough sand and thin sandy soil Average type very thin sandy soil Thin type very thin sandy soil and silt clay Thin type sandy clay, silt clay and clay 2. The Effective Root depths of the plants: The root depth where the plants get water they need in 80% for their normal growth is called “Effective Root Depth”. This value indicates the soil depth to be watered during the irrigation and it generally changes between 30 – 180 centimeters according to the plant type. Plant Species Effective Root Depth (cm) Plant Species Effective Root Depth (cm) Plant Species Effective Root Depth (cm) Potato (Sweet) Sugar Beet Fruit Trees Citrus Fruits GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SPRIN

3. Irrigation water needs for the products: Water amount to be given once (Ha/mm³) Sulama Irrigation Repetition Fruit Trees 4. Water intake (Infiltration) speeds of the soils: Knowing the water intake speed of the soils is very important in irrigation. The causes such as the structure and texture of soil, the amount of the organic matter in the soil, the amount of the moist, flora, the slope in the field, the congestion and cracking of the soil, the type and amount of the salts available in the soil and water affect the water intake speed of the soil. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SPRINKLER...