Spraying water at a certain angle and pressure, and then letting it fall by its own weight in tiny droplets on the soil and the product is called “Sprinkler Irrigation”.  This method is called sprinkler irrigation, because the water looks like real rain. Sprinkle irrigation can be used in any soil condition, on slopes, flat lands, and almost on any type of plant and material to be humidified conveniently. Water sources with flow rates lower than the flow rates required in surface irrigation can be used. Water is sprayed through sprinklers at a certain pressure and into the air like rain drops. Water drops fall on the ground penetrate into soil to be accumulated around plants’ roots.

This method requires a piping system composed of plastic, aluminum or galvanized pipes, and a pumping system to provide the necessary pressure or self-pressurized mains is required. Pressure is usually provided by water pumps. Self-pressurized systems are available in some areas. The system is completed by sprinkler heads. Different types of sprinkler heads are used depending on the plant type, job, ground, and financial issues.

Sprinkler irrigation systems need less irrigation water than surface irrigation systems,if they are operated properly. They are more useful especially on rough lands with slopes, and higher penetration rates for irrigating plants with shallow roots. 

Sprinkler irrigation method requires a certain amount of initial investment and energy costs. Sprinkler irrigation systems will develop, if using this method provides an increase in the number of agricultural products that compensates such costs. Sprinkler irrigation methods are widely preferred, where labor is expensive, because they require less labor.

Portable Systems
Pump unit, main pipe and laterals are portable in this system.

Semi Portable Systems
Pump unit and main pipeline are fixed, and laterals are portable in this system.

Non-portable (Fixed) Systems
Pump, main pipe, and laterals are fixed in this system.

Sprinkler irrigation methods are widely preferred, where labor is expensive, because they require less labor. Semi-portable and fully fixed systems are preferred more and more in nowadays, because labor costs are constantly increasing.

Main components such as pipelines, and sprinkler heads of sprinkler irrigation systems have been significantly changed recently. The cost has been lowered, and the system has become practical thus, their use is generalized. Sprinkler heads are of greatest importance in sprinkler irrigation system. High capacity sprinkler heads (Big Guns) with high wetting capacity are widely preferred. These are very good at medium and high operating pressures. Low pressure applications may damage delicate plants. Nozzle diameters of medium size sprinkler heads are ranged between 8 to 12mm, and their wetting diameters between 15 to 25 mm.  Such heads are widely used in the irrigation of field crops, vegetable gardens and orchards. Nozzle diameters of large size sprinkler heads can be ranged between 12 to 28mm, and wetting diameter between 25 to 55mm. Such heads are mainly used in the irrigation of field crops by medium and large sized enterprises.

Operating pressure is the pressure required at the nozzle. Losses due to leakage and friction can be controlled by calculating the pressure differences between the manometers at the pump outlet and the distant sprinkler head. Valves can be installed at the beginnings of lateral pipelines, in systems the main pipelines, of which are embedded in the ground. In addition to these, connection pieces such as T, bend, reduction, and pipe stopper are also used. Saving energy or using more sprinkler heads with the same energy is possible by using pipes with the largest possible diameters, minimizing friction loss.

Commercial fertilizers can be carried by water delivered to plants by sprinkler irrigation. Delivering fertilizers carried by irrigation water to soil provides various advantages.

Including;

• Less labor
• Homogenous distribution of fertilizers in soil
• Extends the useful economic life of tools and equipment
• Optimum fertilization in optimum time
• Increase in product quality and quantity

Commercial fertilizers can be carried by water delivered to plants by sprinkler irrigation

Irrigation continues after the fertilizers have been ejected, thus the fertilizers are washed away from pipes and heads. Fertilizer solutions accumulated on leaves are also washed off.

• The main pipe should be parallel to the slope
• Sprinkler laterals should be perpendicular to the slope but parallel to the contours if possible
• Laterals should be placed perpendicular to the wind direction, where the speed of the wind is high
• Avoid using too long sprinkler laterals. Shorter laterals reduce labor and provide an even water distribution.
• The motion of the laterals should be arranged on the main line in a way that requires minimum labor.
• If possible, the system should be installed in square or rectangular form ensuring easy lateral motion and lower number of collaborative heads to be changed.
• Pipe sizes and arrangement of a system, should be in a way to reduce annual costs.
• If possible, pump unit should be installed in the middle of the system; this enables using economic pipes with appropriate diameters.
• In sprinkler irrigation water is efficiently used, where there is water shortage.

• A pressure test should be conducted before covering the pipes in fixed and semi-fixed irrigation systems.
• In fixed and semi-fixed systems, pipes are buried in the ground to a minimum depth of 50cm where winters are mild, and to a minimum depth of 80cm where winters are heavy.
• Proper grounding is a must, if the motor is electrically driven.
• Attention should be paid to power lines in order not to touch them when carrying pipes.
• The system is first operated at a lower flow rate, filling laterals and intermediate pipes with water, and then the pipeline should be washed by opening the pipe stopper for a short while.
• A filter should be installed at pump suction pipe for keeping foreign materials away and nozzles unclogged.
• Rotation of laterals must be planned.
• For optimum sprinkle distribution, laterals should be well positioned according to the wind direction.
• Rubber grease or similar materials should be used on pipes and sprinkler heads for lubrication.
• In fixed systems, pipelines should be discharged at season ends.