YOUR BEST PRACTICE Weighing your options With numerous irrigation


options to choose from, these practical considerations can help you determine what method is right for you.


T


here are significant differences between surface irrigation methods that have been practiced for thousands of years and the pressurized irrigation systems that are evolving daily.


BY STUART STYLES, DE, PE, CAIS, CGIA, CID, D.WRE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS


SURFACE IRRIGATION


When selecting the appropriate irrigation method that will efficiently deliver water to your crop, it is important to have a strong understanding of the various options and how they are best utilized.


Irrigation systems can be broken down into three main categories: surface, microirrigation and sprinklers, and each of these can be divided into several subcategories. Many systems can also run in an alternating or combination fashion.


28 Irrigation TODAY | Fall 2019


• basin • border strip • furrows • continuous flooding • corrugations


PRESSURIZED IRRIGATION MICROIRRIGATION


• above-ground drip • subsurface drip • microsprayers • microsprinklers


SPRINKLERS


• hand move sprinklers • side roll or wheel line • big gun sprinklers • center pivot • solid set sprinklers • undertree sprinklers


irrigationtoday.org


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46