Performance Evaluation of Mini-sprinkler Irrigation System Underdifferent Pressures and Spacings

Abstract

The hydraulic performance of a small sprinkler system was assessed in the current study. A small sprinkler system with a "double nozzle - full circle" sprinkler was used in the experiment to assess the hydraulic performance. It was arranged in randomized block design.The research experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm of Pravara’s Sindhutai Vikhe  Patil College of Agriculture, Nashik during the year 2023-2024. The experiment involved sixteen treatment combinations with four replications. It was arranged in randomized block design with four different Pressure (P) with four levels are P1 = 1.0 kg/cm2, P2 = 1.5 kg/cm2, P3 = 2.0 kg/cm2 and P4 = 2.5 kg/cm2and Spacing (S) with four levels S1 = 6m x 6m  S2 = 7 m x  7 m S3 = 8 m x 8 m and S4 = 9 m x 9 m. Although the optimum value of the index of jet break up was near 4.0 at 2.0 kg/cm2, the index of jet break up was obtained in the range of 2.24 to 4.1 for all four working pressures. The discharge rates were obtained as 235, 290, 330 and 365lph at operating pressures of 1.0 kg/cm2, 1.5 kg/cm2, 2.0 kg/cm2 and 2.5 kg/cm2  respectively. At each set up, the uniformity coefficient ranged between 94.55 % and 92.34 %. For 6 m × 6 m spacing at 1.5 kg/cm2 and 7 m x 7 m spacing at 1.5 kg/cm2, the uniformity coefficients were at par. Uniformity of distribution was discovered within the range of 65.23 % to 84.10 %. Water spread area was obtained as 58.60 m2, 126.67 m2, 163.76 m2 and 226.44 m2 at operating pressures of 1.0 kg/cm2, 1.5 kg/cm2, 2.0 kg/cm2 and 2.5 kg/cm2 respectively.  Mean application rate was in the range of 4.5 mm/h to 6.5 mm/h. From the results obtained, the basis of performance systems of6 m x 6 m working at an operating pressure of 2.0 kg/cm² and 2.5 kg/cm².