---
title: "When to use sprinkler irrigation"
subject: "Irrigation and Drainage Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering:sprinkler-situations-pros-cons"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/sprinkler-situations-pros-cons
site: BCT Engineering
---

# When to use sprinkler irrigation

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2078 Poush, 1+4 marks
- Video: [Advantages and Disadvantages of Sprinkler Irrigation Method || Irrigation Engineering - civilnoteppt](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLpqvLLKbkI) — CivilNotePpt
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/sprinkler-situations-pros-cons
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

What are the situations in which you would recommend sprinkler irrigation? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

## Short answer

Sprinkler recommended for: undulating/steep land, sandy/shallow soils, water scarcity, close-growing crops, frost protection, and costly labour. Advantages: no levelling, high efficiency (65-80%), uniform application, fertigation possible. Disadvantages: high capital/energy cost, wind distorts uniformity, leaf wetting promotes disease, not for heavy clay or rice.

## Answer

#### Situations for recommending sprinkler irrigation
1. Undulating or steep land where levelling is costly.
2. Light sandy soils with high infiltration, or very shallow soils.
3. Water scarcity and a need for uniform, controlled application.
4. Close-growing crops (cereals, pulses, fodder, vegetables, tea).
5. Frost protection, cooling or germination of seeds.
6. Where labour is costly or scarce and land is expensive (no channels).
7. Where pressure from gravity or an electric/diesel pump is available.

#### Advantages
- No land levelling; saves land used by channels.
- High efficiency (65-80%); no runoff or deep percolation if designed well.
- Even distribution; precise control of depth; can apply fertilizer and pesticides through it.
- Protects against frost; low labour.

#### Disadvantages
- High capital and energy cost.
- Wind spoils uniformity; evaporation in hot weather.
- Leaf wetting spreads disease and causes scorch with saline water.
- Not suitable for heavy clay soils or rice.
- Needs skilled operation, clean water and regular maintenance of nozzles.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Sprinkler is recommended where:
   A. Land is flat heavy clay
   B. Rice is grown
   C. Land is undulating, soil is light and water is scarce
   D. Water is abundant and free
   Answer: C. Sprinklers avoid levelling and give uniform application. (Key point: When to recommend)

2. Which additional use does sprinkler have?
   A. Draining water
   B. Raising the water table
   C. Rice flooding
   D. Frost protection and cooling
   Answer: D. Spraying protects crops. (Key point: Frost)

3. Wind causes:
   A. Uneven distribution
   B. Higher uniformity
   C. Lower energy cost
   D. Better frost protection
   Answer: A. Spray drifts. (Key point: Wind)

4. Saline water in sprinklers causes:
   A. Higher yield
   B. Leaf scorch
   C. Clogging of drains
   D. Frost
   Answer: B. Wetting leaves with salty water burns them. (Key point: Saline water)

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