Assessment of wind velocity effect on technical performance of semiportable sprinkling irrigation systems in Zanjan province

One of the crucial mechanisms in order to achieve a sustainable agriculture and water consumption management in the field is to continuously monitor the performance of pressurized irrigation systems. In the present study, the wind velocity effect on the performance of semiportable sprinkling irrigation systems in Zanjan province was evaluated. Therefore, the experimental tests were performed on 13 agricultural fields in two climatic conditions include high and low-intensity wind velocity. Spray losses, Christiansen uniformity coefficient, distribution uniformity of low quarter, actual application efficiency of lower quarter and the changes in the system’s pressure were determined. The results indicated that, the lowest and highest value of spray losses were determined 7.3 and 51.8%, respectively, and the general average values of spray losses in low- and high-intensity wind conditions were determined 13.0 and 31.7%, respectively. The minimum and maximum values of distribution uniformity of low quarter in low-intensity wind velocity condition were obtained 47.3 and 74.5% and in highintensity wind speeds were obtained 27.4 and 65.5%, respectively. The average values of those indices in the low- and high-intensity wind conditions were obtained as equal to 62.9 and 42.3% respectively. The actual application efficiency of low quarter was measured 41.5 to 61.8 and 17.3 to 46.4% in low and high wind velocity condition, respectively. Intensifying the wind velocity led to a reduction of 21.4% in actual application efficiency of low quarter and 20% in water distribution uniformity. Finally, the results indicate that, wind velocity has had a significant effect on reducing the water distribution uniformity and application efficiency. Application of high irrigation water depth and pressure changes in sprinkle irrigation systems were identified as other factors affecting on reducing technical performance of semi portable sprinkling irrigation system.