Equation for Estimation of Spray Losses in Semi-Portable Sprinkler Irrigation System

The sustainability of irrigated agriculture depends upon the consistency of high irrigation efficiency. Thus a proper understanding of factors affecting spray losses (Ls) in sprinkler irrigation is important in an optimum water resources use. In this resrearch a new equation is introduced for exact estimation of Ls by characterizing weather parameters under hot and semi-arid conditions for semi-portable hand-move sprinkler system in south-east region of Khouzestan province. The standard ISO 7749/2 has been taken into account to determine Ls. Field tests were conducted under the outdoor single sprinkler method. The obtained equation from the multiple and nonlinear regression model showed that Ls exceeded 21.9% when the wind speed and vapour pressure deficit increased more than 3.5 m/s and 6 kpa, respectively.