What is a sprinkler irrigation system?

The sprinkler irrigation system is essentially a modern and advanced irrigation method in agriculture, where water from a reservoir and source is pumped by a water pump and then sprayed into the air at various points on the land by sprinklers, falling like raindrops on crops and providing them with the necessary water.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a sprinkler irrigation system

Each type of irrigation method in agriculture can have its own specific advantages and disadvantages, and the sprinkler irrigation system is no exception. Among the most important advantages of the sprinkler irrigation system are the following:

• Elimination of earthen water channels and use of special pipes and fittings, reducing water loss

• High compatibility with various soil types

• Water savings compared to traditional methods such as surface irrigation

• Increased production efficiency compared to traditional irrigation methods

• Easier and more effective management and control of water consumption and proper planning for it

• High compatibility with various weather and environmental conditions

• Possibility of adding nutrients, fertilizers, etc. to the water needed for plants and uniform distribution of them

• Higher yield in crops with high planting density and ...

Despite all the advantages and special benefits of sprinkler irrigation, it can also have flaws and disadvantages, the most important of which include high initial costs for setting up equipment, high evaporation rates compared to other irrigation methods, improper irrigation in the presence of suspended particles in the water, washing pesticides used on agricultural products off the leaves and stems and flowers of the products, disrupting the irrigation process in windy conditions, etc.

Types of sprinkler irrigation

As mentioned, the sprinkler irrigation system can have unique advantages and disadvantages, and today it is used in many parts of the world in a modern and advanced way. Generally, types of pressurized sprinkler irrigation are divided into two main categories: classic or traditional sprinkler irrigation systems and automatic or modern sprinkler irrigation systems, each of which can also have various subcategories.

Classic or Traditional Sprinkler Irrigation System

As the name suggests, this sprinkler irrigation system is performed in a non-mechanized manner and is generally carried out in four main methods.

1. Mobile sprinkler irrigation (Portable)

In this classic system, the water pipe is made of aluminum, and all components of the system are removed at the end of the agricultural season or transferred to another farm. This system is usually suitable for small and scattered fields with asymmetric geometries and can be low-cost. Irrigating row crops with low height can be efficient with this system, although it requires a lot of labor and may have high wear on its parts.

2. Semi-mobile sprinkler irrigation (Semi-Portable)

In this type of sprinkler irrigation system, the water pumping device, main and secondary water transfer pipes, and also the sprinklers are installed on the pipe and are movable. This system is suitable for scattered fields with various shapes, and its cost is higher than the mobile system.

3. Fixed sprinkler irrigation with movable sprinklers (Semi-Permanent)

This classic sprinkler irrigation system is very popular because it has fixed laterals and automatic valves, and the sprinklers are movable. To reduce operational costs, larger sprinklers with wider spacing can be used. If taller risers are used, this system can also be employed for irrigating tall crops, although it requires more investment compared to previous methods.

4. Fixed sprinkler irrigation (Permanent)

In this classic system, all components of the irrigation system are fixed and cannot be moved. This system requires the most investment among other classic methods but can be a more suitable option for perennial crops and will require the least labor.

Automatic or Modern Sprinkler Irrigation System

With the advancement of various sciences and technologies, the sprinkler irrigation system has also developed and is performed in a mechanized and automatic manner. This system utilizes technical knowledge and modern technologies and can be suitable for large and integrated farms and lands. The mechanized sprinkler irrigation system is also carried out in four different methods, which are as follows:

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