An Experimental Study of the Effect of Using Auto-Sprinkler Irrigation Techniques on Water Consumption Reduction

Abstract

In recent years, many systems of classical sprinkler irrigation techniques using various water sources have been in use. Most of these projects in the capital Baghdad have been subjected to negligence in maintenance. From this problem we took off to find a radical technical solution. The use of controlled auto-irrigation in response to earth need is one of such solutions. In this study, a simple, easy to use control irrigation scheme connected to a classical irrigation system and applying it to a small piece of land 16sqm (4m×4m) has been used. The system is connected to 4 sprinklers of the type (12 series VAN). The sprayers are arranged in square pattern for five months from May to September. The aim is to measure the feasibility of using the irrigation controller in saving water supply and continuity of performance. The results obtained showed that the use of irrigation controllers have reduced water consumption by 52% in using the circular sprinklers, and 35% in using half circular sprinklers. More over the uses of automated sprinklers have reduces the irrigation ration by 12%.