PROBLEMS SET 6: SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

1. A Sugarcane field is to be irrigated using sprinkler irrigation. The sprinkler spacing is 12.2 meters while the
lateral spacing is 18.3 meters. The soil water holding capacity is 120mm/m, crop rooting depth is 1.0 meter and
management allowed deficit is 45%. If the irrigation period is twelve hours and the application efficiency is
70%, compute the required sprinkler discharge.

2.A sprinkler irrigation system is to be designed to irrigate a level sugarcane field based on the following design
parameters:
a. Average operating pressure ……………………. 40 psi
b. Length of the main pipe ……………………………. 600 feet
c. Length of lateral ……………………………………….400 feet
d. Sprinkler spacing ……………………………………..12.2 meter
e. Lateral spacing …………………………………………18.3 meter
f. sprinkler discharge …………………………………..0.5 lps
g. Scobey’s coefficient ……………………………….0.4
h. Reduction coefficient ………………………………0.385

Hf = KsLQ1.9 1.45 x 10-8

D4.9
If a 2.5 inch pipe is used for the lateral, compute the actual head loss
3. A banana plantation is to be irrigated by sprinkler with nozzle discharge of 0.5 lps. The sprinkler
spacing is 40 feet and the lateral spacing is 60 feet. The soil water holding capacity is 120 mm/m, crop
rooting depth is 1.0 meter and management allowed deficit is 60%. If the application efficiency is to
be 75%, compute the irrigation period.

4. Given the following data for the design of a sprinkler system at maximum application rate:
Area dimensions - 180m x 150 m
Laterals Parallel to the shorter area side
Sprinkler spacing 6m x 6m
Soil Øfc 32%
Soil Øpwp 18%
Allowable moisture depletion 80%
Depth of rootzone 0.8m
Peak water use 7 mm/day
Application efficiency 85%
Soil infiltration rate 24 mm/hr

Determine the following:

a. The gross application depth
b. The net depth of application
c. The irrigation period
d. The lateral capacity
e. Compute the headlosses
f. Compute the power requirement

Other data:
Suction head - 3 meters
Height of riser - 1 meter
Head due to topography – 30 cm