Effect Of Different Types Of Head On The Coefficient Of Uniformity And Water Distribution On A Portable Sprinkler Irrigation System

A portable sprinkler irrigation system was installed with the objective of evaluating the performance of the system layout. Two sets of sprinkler heads were used; single and twin. The study was conducted during the period March to September 2012 in the Demonstration Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Shambat, longitude 32o 32'E: latitude15o 40'N and altitude 380 m above mean sea level. After installation of the system the coefficient of uniformity (CU %) and the distribution uniformity (DU %) were determined for each set of sprinkler heads under an operating pressure of 2.5 bars. The completely randomized block design (CRBD) was used. Three replicates were used for each set and the data were analyzed by the SAS program. The statistical analysis showed that there were high significant differences (P≥0.01) in CU% and DU% values between the different sprinkler heads. The highest CU% and DU% values 87% and 76%, respectively, were obtained under plastic sprinkler heads, while the lowest ones of 81.3% and 68.1% were obtained under the brass sprinkler heads, respectively. It can be concluded from the study that the highest values of coefficient of uniformity (CU %) and distribution of uniformity (DU %) were obtained by the plastic sprinkler heads (LEGO 55). The sprinkler head type should be considered as important factors for designing and installing an appropriate portable sprinkler system.