CGM Irrigation & Water Management Flashcards

Which type of soil has the highest infiltration rate and requires shorter, more frequent irrigation cycles to prevent deep percolation?

Answer: Sandy soil

Sandy soil has large particles and pore spaces, allowing water to move through quickly, which can lead to deep percolation and nutrient leaching if over-applied.

What is the purpose of a flow sensor connected to an irrigation controller?

Answer: To detect abnormal flow rates that may indicate leaks or broken heads and automatically shut down the system

A flow sensor monitors the volume of water passing through the main line and alerts or shuts down the system if flow deviates from expected levels, indicating a leak.

Which USDA or cooperative extension resource do grounds managers most commonly reference to obtain local ET data for irrigation scheduling?

Answer: Local Cooperative Extension Service or state weather network (e.g., CIMIS in California)

State-run agricultural weather networks and Cooperative Extension offices publish daily or weekly ET data calibrated to local climate conditions for irrigation scheduling.

What is water hammer in an irrigation system, and what device mitigates it?

Answer: A pressure surge caused by rapid valve closure; mitigated by installing pressure-relief valves or slow-close valves

Water hammer is a shockwave from sudden valve closure that can damage pipes and fittings; slow-close valves or pressure-relief devices absorb the surge.

For turf irrigation scheduling, what does the term 'soil moisture deficit' (SMD) represent?

Answer: The amount of water needed to refill the root zone to field capacity

SMD quantifies how much water is needed to restore soil moisture to field capacity, allowing managers to apply precisely what the plant needs.

When winterizing an irrigation system in a cold US climate, what is the primary reason for blowing out the system with compressed air?

Answer: To remove water from pipes and components to prevent freeze damage and pipe bursting

Compressed air forces residual water out of the entire system so that freezing temperatures cannot expand trapped water, which would crack pipes, valves, and heads.