YOUR BEST PRACTICE 


• To improve distribution uniformity with a traditional hand move system, implement alternate sets.


• Modern center pivots are incorporating machinery that irrigates all parts of the field including the corners. However, center pivots do not work well in fields with clay soils. Boombacks can help if mud is a concern.


• Permanent underground sprinkler systems are best adapted to trees that can be pruned above the low trajectory of these sprinkler heads.


• Sprinklers are the most effective at frost protection or cooling plants when necessary, mounted on high risers and throwing water over the foliage of the plants. When also used as an irrigation method, high trajectory heads should be used.


FINAL THOUGHTS


For improved irrigation system perfor- mance, a flow meter such as a mag-


netic meter can determine how much water is used by a crop. These devices are relatively accurate even in turbulent applications. These units should be grounded and care should be taken when injecting fertilizers near the meter.


A good target distribution uniformity for a new system should be above


0.90 regardless of the irrigation system. If your system is designed by a local irriga- tion company, demand that they provide a written guarantee of the DU performance of the new system.


Before buying a new system, make sure to read the ITRC Irrigation Con-


sumer Bill of Rights (http://www.itrc.org/ reports/icbrgeneral.htm). This document was adopted by the Irrigation Association and revised in February 2019.


 , is the director of the Irrigation Training and Research Center at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and is also a professor in the Cal Poly BioResource and Agricultural  has four decades of experience teaching irrigation.


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