Evaluation model development for sprinkler irrigation uniformity based on catch-can data

Abstract

A new evaluation method with accompanying software was developed to precisely calculate uniformity from catch-can test data, assuming sprinkler distribution data to be a continuous variable. Two interpolation steps are required to compute unknown water application depths at grid distribution points from radial distribution of catch-cans’ data: using both radial and peripheral interpolations. Interpolation by cubic splines was used to give more accurately interpolated values. This method has higher accuracy theoretically compared with conventional methods to analyze catch-can data. Water application depths were calculated at each grid point and uniformity coefficients were computed from the grid distribution maps of water application depths. This has value in assessing application uniformity of sprinkle irrigation designs.

Key words: Sprinkler irrigation, uniformity evaluation, model development, twice interpolation.