Minisprinkler and Microspray Irrigation for Orchards Note
Number: AG0296 Published: September 2000 Updated: January 2010
Minisprinkler and microspray irrigation provides a method to
apply water to trees in an orchard with a high level of
precision making these systems more efficient than traditional
flood or sprinkler irrigation. A basic understanding of
minisprinkler and microspray irrigation is important so that
systems are appropriately designed, installed, operated and
maintained. What are minisprinklers and microsprays? The
prefixes, micro and mini, signify that such emitters have
discharge rates of less than 200 litre per hour. The properties
of such emitters as they relate to orchard irrigation are as
follows. - Operating pressure. Almost all the above emitters
will operate from pressures as low as 75 kPa up to 400 kPa.
Because of the cost of pumping it is usual to operate them
between 100 kPa and 150 kPa. - Discharge rates. Commercially
available emitters discharge water at rates from 20 litre per
hou