Field Evaluation of Center Pivot Irrigation System: The case of WonjiShoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia

Abstract

Center Pivot (CP) Irrigation System is one of the recent irrigation technologies to apply water efficiently and uniformly over the wide range of area and topography. This the study was conducted to evaluate uniformity of water distribution and estimate water losses for center pivot irrigation system, using double row of catch can at morning, midday and Late afternoon. The results showed that the system gives low distribution uniformity. The average values of coefficient of uniformity (CU) and distribution uniformity (DU), during morning, midday and late afternoon were, 77% and 63%, 66% and 60%, 80% and 65%, respectively. In all test times the distribution uniformity is at poor performance range. Water losses from these systems were ranged between 1.03% and 7.74%. The study was also investigated the effect of main factors on water distribution and water losses in the study area by developing a statistical model in order to determine relationship between the losses and the factors affecting them under operating field conditions during different irrigation times of the day. The study concludes that wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity and travel speed of the last tower is the main factor affecting the applied water, Hence, the study recommends the managers of the system to operate when the climate demand is low to increase yield per applied water and save energy.