Combined effect of technical, meteorological and agronomical factors on solid-set sprinkler irrigation: II. Modifications of the wind velocity and of the water interception plane by the crop canopy

Maize (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were simultaneously irrigated in two adjoining plots with the same sprinkler solid-set system under the same operational and technical conditions. The Christiansenʹs uniformity coefficient (CUC) and the wind drift and evaporation losses (WDEL) were assessed from the irrigation depth (IDC) collected into pluviometers above each crop. A network of pluviometers was located above the maize canopy. Two networks of pluviometers were located above the alfalfa, one above the canopy and the other at the same level as that above the maize. The latter was used to analyze the effects of the water collecting plane. The wind velocity (WV) profile was measured above each crop using anemometers located at three levels. Both the CUC and the WDEL differed between maize and alfalfa.