What practice can help minimize evaporation losses in spray irrigation?

Reducing the height of the spray is an effective practice for minimizing evaporation losses in spray irrigation. When the height of the spray is decreased, the water has a shorter distance to travel from the nozzle to the ground. This reduction in distance lowers the chance for water to evaporate before it reaches the soil. Additionally, water droplets that are closer to the ground are less susceptible to wind drift, which can also contribute to evaporation losses. By ensuring that water reaches the soil more efficiently, this practice helps in conserving water and improving the effectiveness of irrigation efforts.

In contrast, increasing the pressure of the system may produce finer droplets that can be more susceptible to evaporation. Scheduling irrigation at mid-day, when temperatures are typically highest, can lead to significant evaporation losses. Lastly, using larger spray heads may cover a wider area, but it does not directly address the evaporation issue and can create uneven water distribution. Thus, lowering the height of the spray is a strategic measure to enhance water conservation in irrigation practices.