Effect of pair connection of end laterals in drip irrigation system on system hydraulic properties

In this research, effect of lateral ends connection as pairs on hydraulic properties of drip irrigation system was investigated. To perform the experiment, a drip irrigation system was constructed on flat plot with dimensions of 80m × 90m in Zanjan University Research Farm. The test was done in two different conditions including none (N.C.) and pair (P.C.) connection of lateral ends and at three system operating pressures including 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 bar. The used emitter type was in-line long path with 4 LPH discharge and 1.0 bar operating pressure. Based on results, at 0.5 bar operating pressure, pair connection of lateral ends caused decreasing of variability coefficient from 13.1% to 10.7%, increasing of emission uniformity from 82% to 85% and increasing of Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient from 89% to 91%. At 1.0 bar operating pressure, the amounts of CV, Eu and Uc changed from 9.1, 90 and 92% (respectively) in N.C. condition to 4.9, 95 and 96% (respectively) in P.C. condition. Amounts of CV, Eu and Uc parameters in P.C. condition and 1.5 bar operating pressure were 5.5%, 93% and 96% (respectively) and in N.C. condition were obtained 9.7%, 87% and 93% (respectively). Considering the results of current research, pair connection of lateral ends was improved drip irrigation system technically and hydraulically.