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Irrigation Glossary Page I of 7 <br />vT? Irrigation Term <br />Glossary <br />Horne <br />.._..... See also unit descriptions. When applicable. commonly used measurement units are included in brackets. <br />Irrigation Calculatarrs_ Example: [in, ft]. <br />FAQs; & Tutorials <br />wSU irrigation Research Application Efficiency <br />" _"..-" ..........° m The ratio of the water that is stored in the root zone for later use b the plants to the total <br />irrigation Fact Sh_r by water applied. [%, decimal) <br />irrigation Glossary <br />_...._,_.. <br />usetul irrigation Links Available Water Capacity (AWC) <br />Contact Also known as available water (AW). The portion of water in a soil that can be readily <br />' absorbed by plant roots. It is the amount of water between field capacity and permanent <br />wilting point. Usually measured in either %, in/ft, intin, mm/mm, or m/m. <br />Backflow Prevention Device <br />' Used to prevent the flow of water from the water distribution system back to the water <br />source and may be required by law. Similar to anti-siphon valves. <br />Basin Irrigation <br />' A surface irrigation method where water is applied to a completely level area surrounded by <br />dikes. Can high clay content soils and managed correctly basin irrigation can be very <br />efficient. <br />' Best Management Practice (BMP) <br />An irrigation practice that is both economical and practical that will assist in reducing water <br />use, protect water quality, while maintaining or improving crop production- <br />Big Gun Systems <br />Uses a large sprinkler mounted on a wheeled cart or trailer, fed by a flexible rubber hose. <br />The machine may be reeled in by the hose, or moved periodically. Big guns operate at <br />high operating pressures in order to throw water long distances. <br />Border Irrigation <br />Water is applied at the upper end of a strip having parallel berms or earthen dikes anywhere <br />from 10 to 100 feet apart that serve to confine the water to a strip or rectangular area. <br />' Brake Horsepower <br />The power delivered by the motor to drive a pump. <br />Center Pivot Sprinklers <br />An automated irrigation system composed of a sprinkler lateral rotating around a pivot point <br />and supported by a number of self-propelled towers. Water and power is supplied at the <br />pivot point. They are easily identified from the air as large circular fields. Most center-pivots <br />are one-quarter mite long and irrigate 128- to 132-acre circular fields. Center pivots are the <br />most popular Irrigation method in the U.S because they require low labor input, are fairly <br />reliable, are flexible with crop varieties and soils, can accommodate undulating terrain, are <br />easily adapted for chemigation, and have the best uniformity and efficiency of any sprinkler <br />irrigation system <br />m Chemigation <br />The process of applying chemicals (fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, etc...) to crops or soil <br />1 through an irrigation system with the water. <br />iittp://irrigation.wsu.edu/glossary.php <br />1/7/2008 <br />80