CHT Irrigation & Water Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation over overhead sprinklers?
- Lower installation cost
- Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation (Correct answer)
- Covers larger areas faster
- Requires no filtration
Correct answer: Delivers water directly to root zone with less evaporation
Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation losses and reducing foliar disease risk.
Question 2: Evapotranspiration (ET) data is used in irrigation scheduling to:
- Identify plant diseases
- Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace (Correct answer)
- Determine fertilizer rates
- Calculate soil pH
Correct answer: Estimate how much water plants use and need to replace
ET values quantify water lost through evaporation and plant transpiration, helping irrigators apply exactly the amount needed to maintain soil moisture.
Question 3: Which type of sprinkler head is best suited for large turf areas?
- Fixed spray head
- Drip emitter
- Rotary/rotor head (Correct answer)
- Misting nozzle
Correct answer: Rotary/rotor head
Rotary (rotor) heads rotate and throw water over large distances, making them efficient and cost-effective for large turf areas.
Question 4: Backflow prevention devices are required in irrigation systems to:
- Increase water pressure
- Prevent contaminated water from entering the potable supply (Correct answer)
- Reduce clogging in drip lines
- Filter sediment from sprinkler heads
Correct answer: Prevent contaminated water from entering the potable supply
Backflow preventers stop irrigation water (which may contain fertilizers or pesticides) from flowing back into the public drinking water supply.
Question 5: What is 'hydraulic zoning' in irrigation design?
- Dividing areas by plant water need and pressure requirements (Correct answer)
- Installing water meters per zone
- Using one zone for the entire property
- Grouping zones by plant color
Correct answer: Dividing areas by plant water need and pressure requirements
Hydraulic zoning groups plants with similar water needs and designs zones based on flow rate and pressure to ensure uniform coverage.
Question 6: The term 'distribution uniformity' (DU) measures:
- Fertilizer spread pattern
- How evenly water is applied across an irrigated area (Correct answer)
- Soil compaction level
- Root growth uniformity
Correct answer: How evenly water is applied across an irrigated area
Distribution uniformity (DU) is a percentage that indicates how evenly an irrigation system applies water across the coverage area.
CHT Irrigation & Water Management 1
What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation over overhead sprinklers?