COMPARISON OF CLASSICAL SPRINKLER AND WHEEL MOVE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN DEHGOLAN PLAIN, NORTH‐WEST IRAN^†

Abstract

The performance and efficiency of classical fixed sprinkler and wheel move irrigation systems were compared in the Dehgolan Plain, north‐west Iran. The field and laboratory experiments were conducted with 10 classical fixed and 10 wheel move systems. Christensen coefficient of uniformity (CU), distribution uniformity (DU), potential application efficiency of low quarter (PELQ) and application efficiency of the lower quarter (AELQ) were used for the purpose of this assessment. The results showed a low efficiency due to improper design and management of classical fixed systems. Also, the results indicated that the wheel move systems used in the Dehgolan Plain performed well. The average mean values of the above coefficients (i.e. 12.6, 19.8, 21.5 and 14.5%) were higher in wheel move systems in comparison to those of classical fixed systems. Additionally, the average mean value of wind drift and evaporation losses (WDEL) and percolation losses (DP) were 0.45 and 1.17% lower in the wheel move systems, respectively, in comparison to those of classical fixed systems. The adequacy of irrigation (ADirr) of the wheel move systems was 16.3% higher than that of classical fixed systems. Generally, the results showed that wheel move systems in the Dehgolan Plain have a substantially higher efficiency than the classical fixed systems. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.