ENSAIO DE UNIFORMIDADE DE APLICAÇÃO DE ÁGUA EM ASPERSÃO CONVENCIONAL OPERANDO EM DIFERENTES PRESSÕES

Abstract

Conventional sprinkler irrigation is a key agricultural technique, primarily because it allows water to be applied in a manner similar to natural rainfall. However, the system's efficiency depends directly on its ability to distribute water uniformly across the irrigated area. In this context, uniformity tests serve as a fundamental tool for evaluating irrigation system performance and identifying potential water distribution flaws. Operating pressure is a major factor influencing conventional sprinkler system performance, as it directly affects flow rate, throw radius, and water distribution by the sprinklers. Therefore, conducting uniformity tests under various pressure conditions is essential to assess system behavior and determine the operating condition that yields the most adequate water distribution across the irrigated area. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the surface distribution uniformity of water applied via conventional sprinkler irrigation, operating at pressures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 m.w.c. (meters of water column); three replicates were performed for each operating pressure, with water depth overlap based on a 6x6 m spacing. The Christiansen Uniformity Coefficient (CUC) was used to determine water distribution values. The results show that the overall mean CUC value increased as the sprinkler operating pressure increased.