Center Pivot Irrigation System Leak Repairs

Sprinkler Maintenance for Improved Uniformity and Application Efficiency

Center pivot irrigation systems are designed and managed to apply water as uniformly as possible to enhance crop production. Uniformity has a direct effect on the system’s overall application efficiency, which is a measure of how well an irrigation system delivers water to a crop's root zone.

Poor water distribution can result in over- and under-irrigated areas. Insufficient irrigation can reduce total biomass, grain yield, and grain quality; whereas, excessive irrigation can cause runoff, soil erosion, deep percolation of water and nutrients, and anaerobic soil conditions (plant oxygen stress). Consequently, poor water distribution can have a negative effect on a farm’s net return as well as lead to potential environmental concerns. Routine maintenance to improve and maintain high system uniformity and application efficiency is desired.

The primary source of low uniformity is faulty sprinkler nozzles as well as pressure differences along the system. Faulty sprinklers can be comprised of

1. missing, clogged, and worn nozzles,

2. stuck sprinklers, and

3. out of sequence nozzle packages.

To identify possible issues developing with pressure regulators and/or sprinklers record and observe your system’s flow rate and pressure over time, looking for changes.

For further information on irrigation management and parts replacement, please visit the one-stop irrigation components supplier of www.raintek.cn