Five empirical models were evaluated with respect to their ability to estimate evaporation and wind drift losses of Agropolo/NY (nozzle 3.5 mm) and Naan/5024 (nozzle 3.0 mm) sprinklers, and other specific models were developed for each sprinkler model. By comparing measured results, which were obtained in field trials, with simulated ones (models of Yazar, 1984; Trimmer, 1987; Seginer et al., 1991; Tarjuelo et al., 2000; and Playán et al., 2005), these models were classified as very bad or poor according to the index of performance. However, the new adjusted models presented lower errors, resulting in indexes of performance classified as good and very good, thus indicating that their application must be limited to operational conditions (nozzle size, operational pressure, etc.) similar to those in which they were developed.
simulation; sprinkle irrigation; wind
