Spray irrigation, also known as sprinkler irrigation, is a popular method of watering plants using pressurized water. Sprinklers can be fixed or mobile, with some rotating to cover a larger area. Water sources vary, but the method requires a lot of water and can be wasteful. Low-pressure spray and drip irrigation systems are more efficient but can be expensive. Treated wastewater is an environmentally friendly option for ornamental crops and landscaping.
Spray irrigation is a form of watering in which pressurized water is sprayed on plants to provide them with water. This type of irrigation is also sometimes called sprinkler irrigation and is very popular throughout the world. Many people think specifically of spray irrigation when they visualize a sprinkler system, and all sizes of sprinkler systems can be designed to work in this way, ranging from a home sprinkler for keeping a lawn green to industrial size sprinklers used for irrigate the crops.
With a sprinkler system, sprinklers can be fixed in place or placed on mobile frames. Some sprinklers spray only in one direction, requiring careful positioning, while others rotate as they spray, delivering water over a larger area. Rotary heads are often preferred because they allow a single sprinkler array to be installed to cover a large area.
Sources of water for spray irrigation vary. Some cities encourage the use of treated wastewater. This is an environmentally friendly choice that reduces the demand for fresh water, feeds plants and reduces wastewater runoff into waterways. Treated wastewater can be used on ornamental crops and landscaping, but may be banned for use on crops, depending on where you are in the world. Water for crops can come from wells, reservoirs, rivers, lakes and streams.
The big disadvantage of spray irrigation is that it requires a lot of water. When water is sprayed, some is swept away and some evaporates, requiring more water to ensure the plants are getting enough water. Water can also flow faster than the soil can absorb it, and since spray irrigation doesn’t provide precisely targeted jets of water, a large amount of water ends up nowhere near the plants being watered, which is a waste. This is costly and also bad for the environment, as water can be diverted away from natural areas that need water to meet the water supply needs on farms.
An alternative method involves low-pressure spray irrigation accomplished with overhead hoses. Instead of spraying water up and down, the pipes allow the water to flow down. This requires less pressure and less water, saving energy and water resources. For even greater efficiency, a drip irrigation system can be used, although such systems are expensive to install and maintain, which can become a major obstacle for gardeners and agricultural businesses considering this alternative method of irrigation.
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