Methodologies comparison for design of paired drip laterals on uniformly sloping fields

Abstract

This work aimed to compare different methodologies for designing paired laterals of drip irrigation systems on uniformly sloping fields. For this purpose, the methodologies proposed by Keller e Bliesner (1990), Jiang e Kang (2010), and Monserrat; Barragan e Cots (2018) were evaluated. The length of uphill and downhill lateral lines, distribution uniformity (DU), flow, and pressure variations were calculated for both topographic conditions. The Keller e Bliesner (1990) methodology generated the best design for paired laterals, with the lowest DU difference between the uphill and downhill sections; also, the flow variation remained under the 10% limit. The second-best performance was obtained by the method of Monserrat; Barragan e Cots (2018). Jiang e Kang (2010)’s procedure was the least adequate, generating a 10.9% flow variation in the uphill section.