EFFECTS OF CENTRE PIVOT SYSTEM SPEED CONFIGURATION ON WATER APPLICATION EFFICIENCY AT KUKOBILA NASIA FARMS LIMITED IN THE SAVELUGU MUNICIPALITY, NORTYHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The study was carried out during the period February-April, 2018 at Kukobila Nasia Farms Limited, to evaluate performance of the centre pivot irrigation systems (pivot one and two) at six (6) different operating speed levels (43 m/h, 68 m/h, 85 m/h, 102 m/h, 136 m/h and 170 m/h) to ascertain the speed which gives best uniformity and efficiency of water application. The study revealed that CU obtained from centre pivot one and two ranged from 80.3-86.9 % and 75.6-84.4 % respectively. Similarly, DU computed from pivot one ranged from 60.2-68.5 % whereas pivot two had DU ranging from 65.3-73.2 %. DU increased as the speed of operation of centre pivot increased as general trend. The lower values recorded for pivot one at 170 m/h and 102 m/h operating speed levels and that of pivot two at 136 m/h operating speed were attributed to wind drift. The SC obtained from pivot one and two were above the lower acceptable limits and ranged from 1.46-1.66 and 1.37-1.53 respectively. Ea of pivot one ranged from 80.3-98 % except at 170 m/h operating speed which recorded Ea of 56 %. Similarly, pivot two had Ea ranging from 51-89 % with Ea from operating speeds of 102 m/h and 43 m/h meeting SABI norms. The values of PELQ were low and unacceptable as they ranged from 35-73 % and 38-61 % for pivot one and two respectively. The values of AELQ were also low as they ranged from 34-64 % for centre pivot one and 35-56 % for center pivot two. Wind distortions of sprinkling uniformity and standardisation of pivot operating speed to match with crop water requirement were major constraints to attaining high application efficiency. Periodic inspection, cleaning and replacement of clogged and or worn-out nozzles and night irrigation during windy periods should be done.