It is a system by which water is applied above the ground in the form of spray some what resembling rainfall. The spray (small water droplets) is caused by making the water to flow under pressure through small nozzles or sprays. The difference is that this rainfall can be controlled in duration and intensity. A sprinkler system conveys water through pipes and applies it with a minimum amount of losses. advantages of sprinkler irrigation includes the following but not limited to Accurate measurement of the applied water, rendering high water use efficiency. Eliminates excessive losses from deep percolation, surface runoff and conveyance losses Land with irregular topography can be irrigated by sprinklers without much leveling and land preparation. Can be used on soils with low water holding capacity Can be used on sloping lands Does not require field channels and thus more areas become available for crop production . Accurate measurement of the applied water, rendering high water use efficiency. Eliminates excessive losses from deep percolation, surface runoff and conveyance losses Land with irregular topography can be irrigated by sprinklers without much leveling and land preparation. Can be used on soils with low water holding capacity Can be used on sloping lands Does not require field channels and thus more areas become available for crop production . Fertigation and chemigation is possible can be used for almost all crops and on most soils Feasibility of frequent, small water amount applications for germination, cooling, frost protection, etc. The closed water delivery system prevents contamination of the irrigation water. A vast selection sprinkler nozzles facilitate the adjustment of the water precipitation rate to the intake rate of the applied water

1. SPRINKLER IRRIGATION

2. Sprinkler Irrigation
• It is a system by which water is applied above the ground in
the form of spray some what resembling rainfall.
• The spray (small water droplets) is caused by making the
water to flow under pressure through small nozzles or sprays.
• The difference is that this rainfall can be controlled in duration
and intensity.
• A sprinkler system conveys water through pipes and applies it
with a minimum amount of losses.
Definition:

3. • Gives uniform distribution of water
• Accurate measurement of the applied water, rendering high
water use efficiency.
• Eliminates excessive losses from deep percolation, surface
runoff and conveyance losses
• Land with irregular topography can be irrigated by sprinklers
without much leveling and land preparation.
• Can be used on soils with low water holding capacity
• Can be used on sloping lands
• Does not require field channels and thus more areas become
available for crop production .
ADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION

4. Advantageous cont…
• Fertigation and chemigation is possible
• can be used for almost all crops and on most soils
• Feasibility of frequent, small water amount applications for
germination, cooling, frost protection, etc.
• The closed water delivery system prevents contamination of the
irrigation water.
• A vast selection sprinkler nozzles facilitate the adjustment of the
water precipitation rate to the intake rate of the applied water

6. • High initial investment .
• Energy cost is usually high as water is pumped under pressure.
• Design, planning and operation of sprinkler system require good
technical know-how.
• Sensitivity to wind conditions
• Water losses by evaporation from soil surface and plant canopy,
if wetted.
disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation:

7. Disadvantages…
• Induction of leaf diseases in over-head application.
• Hazard of salt accumulation on wetted foliage in overhead
application.
• Leaf burns and washout of pesticides from the foliage in overhead
application.
• Interference of irrigation with various farm activities like tillage,
spraying, harvest, etc.
• Water losses in plot margins.

8. Types of Sprinkler Systems
• Fully portable system: The laterals, mains, sub-mains and the
pumping plant are all portable.
• The system is designed to be moved from one field to another
or other pumping sites that are in the same field.
• Semi-portable system: Water source and pumping plant are
fixed in locations.
• Other components can be moved.
• The system cannot be moved from field to field or from farm
to farm except when more than one fixed pumping plant is
used.
i) Based on Portability

9. Fully permanent system/solid set:
• Permanent laterals, mains, sub-mains as well as fixed pluming
plant.
• Sometimes laterals and mainlines may be buried.
• The sprinkler may be permanently located or moved along the
lateral.
• It can be used on permanent irrigation fields and for relatively
high value crops e.g. Orchards and vineyards.
• Labour savings throughout the life of the system may later
offset high installation cost.

10. Sprinkler Irrigation System in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia Sprinkler Irrigation is practiced to a limited extent for
growing horticultural crops around Zeway, in Tanabeles irrigation
project and for development of 6000 ha irrigated sugarcane
plantation for Fincha sugar factory.
Considering prospects of sprinkler irrigation systems development
in Ethiopia, few of the conditions which favor the development
or which calls for the system are:
The undulating topography of wide arable areas of the country,
 Marginal soils of peripheral regions of the country, shallow soils
with low water holding capacity and which prevent proper
leveling for effective surface irrigation methods, land having
steep slopes and easily erodible soils.
 Growing hydropower generation, etc.