Micro Sprinklers

Sprinkler jet micro sprinklers in Kenya by Grekkon Limited are low-pressure, low to medium volume irrigation equipment that deliver water directly to the crop root zone. They provide full scale surface irrigation, and localised watering of crops. Micro sprinklers in Kenya are used for; fruit trees and small garden irrigation

How much is sprinkler jet micro sprinklers irrigation in Kenya?

Sprinkler jet micro sprinklers cost at Grekkon Limited is from Kes 100 at any of our branches nationwide. Micro sprinkler price per acre is a factor of the number of units used, which depends on the crop spacing. For instance tree tomato spaced at 2M x 2M will require a higher number of micro sprinklers than avocado spaced at 6M x 5M

Why is micro-irrigation important?

It decreases water, fertliser and labour use, yet increases yield as a result of targeted irrigation

Micro sprinklers save water through high application efficiency, and uniformity of spray. They are a substitute for button drippers where drip irrigation is impractical, but create a larger wetted area than drip irrigation. Micro sprinkler irrigation provides low precipitation which allows for longer watering time with low run-off. They are available in a wide range of plastic configurations. Micro sprinkler sets are used with fertigation systems which save on fertiliser application labour cost. They are also light in weight and small in size, which makes them highly portable, and easy to install

A venturi unit can be installaed for chemifertigation to be done through the sprinkler jet micro sprinklers. This saves on fertiliser, pesticides, and labour

 

What is micro sprinkler irrigation?

It is crop watering through the use of sprinkler jet micro sprinklers

Sprinkler Jet Micro Sprinklers Coverage

Micro sprinklers coverage is a factor of; flow rate, wetting diameter or radius, and the wetting degree.

1. Operating pressure; from 15M head / 1.5 bar through  40M head/ 4bar. Pressure lower than 15M head will cause the micro sprinkler to release large droplets. These droplets will be unhelpful, or even destructive to the work undertaken

2. Flow rate 40 litres per hour

3. Irrigation degree; available as 90, 180, and 360 degrees

4. Irrigation diameter; 1.5M to 3.5M. This is an important factor to note during installation because it guides on the spacing of one sprinkler jet micro sprinkler to another

5. Filtration. A 200micron or 80 mesh filter is best to avoid solid particles clogging

Micro sprinklers work when positioned upright, or upside down. Upright when they’re standing on the ground for normal irrigation. Upside down when set in a greenhouse, or open field crop to provide humidity to a mature crop or seedlings. This upside down placement is also for keeping plant foliage moist, or for overhead irrigation

They deliver irrigation water through micro tubings to a series of nozzles attached to risers. They have small to medium sized droplets with good uniformity of coverage, and  lower precipitation rate

 

How to space micro sprinklers

Micro sprinklers placement is in such a manner that the sprays overlap. If for instance the irrigation diameter  is 1.5M, the distance between micro sprinklers will be 2.25M. This ensures that there are no dry spots in between. An overlap ensures full coverage particularly for lawns, hedges or very closely spaced crops

 

How to use micro sprinklers with fruit trees

Our micro sprinklers for orchards are installed this way: Set one micro sprinkler per tree, 30cm or 1 foot from the base of the tree trunk being irrigated. Unlike online or button drippers which work well with gravity, a water pump will be necessary when irrigating with many micro sprinklers.

How much water do micro sprinklers use?

They use a maximum of 110 litres per hour

Micro Sprinkler Irrigation Kit

FAQs

1. How effective is micro sprinkler irrigation?

It reduces water usage by 25% to 40% compared to impact or rain gun sprinkler irrigation, and by 45% to 60% when compared to surface irrigation. They provide uniform water application which ensures uniform growth and crop maturity

2. How far apart should sprinkler jet micro sprinkler be?

It should be less than the radius of their spray. See details above under the heading how to space micro sprinklers

3. When do you use a micro sprinkler?

Like drip irrigation, they are great for water conservation, and for maintaining moderate humity at the base of the crop

4. What are the disadvantages of micro sprinkler irrigation system?

• The tubes get clogged more easily than those of an impact sprinkler or rain gun sprinkler
• Many units are required per unit of land compared to other larger sprinklers
• They are more expensive to install than drip lines, or button drippers
• They require higher operating pressure than drip lines, or button drippers, hence the need to invest in a water pump
• They require a higher level of expertise during installation than button drippers, or drip tape
• The rate of water loss due to evaporation is higher than with a button dripper, or drip irrigation system

5. How do micro sprinklers work?

They have micro tubings which deliver water to  small openings that release it at a slow rate, as fine particles. They apply water directly to the soil surface allowing it to percolate under low pressure

6. How much flow does a sprinkler jet micro sprinkler have?

40L per hour

 

7. How long to run sprinkler jet micro sprinklers?

35 to 45 minutes is sufficient time at optimal flow rate and working pressure

8. What is the difference between drip irrigation and sprinkler jet micro sprinklers?

Drip irrigation is for closely spaced crops that require targeted irrigation. Micro-sprinkler irrigation is for sparsely spaced, larger crops or crops that grow best under overhead irrigation

9. What is the difference between mini and micro sprinklers?

Mini sprinklers are larger, with a greater flow rate and operating pressure to cover a bigger area. They are better for smaller plants or landscape irrigation

10. What are the components of a sprinkler jets micro-irrigation system?

• A pumping station to provide the right pumping pressure
• A filtration system to capture any debris or dirt that will clog the system
• Mainlines. These are the pipes originating from the pumping station, and feeding the sub-main lines. They are the largest pipes
• Sub-main lines. These are the pipes origination from the main lines, and feeding the laterals. They are smaller in diameter than the main lines
• Laterals. These the pipes connecting to the sub-main lines, to which the micro sprinklers are attached. They are the smallest pipes in diameter

These pipes will be either be of the high density polypropylene (HDPE), or poly vinyl chloride PVC type

• Hydrants. These are the irrigation control units in the field from which water is channelled to various blocks
• Venturi system. This is a chemigation and/or a fertigation unit connected to the main line. It is the point from which soluble fertiliser and drenching pesticides are fed into the irrigation system
• The sprinkler jet micro sprinklers. They water the crops directly