Improving Pivot Ruts with Simple Sprinkler Modifications

This research evaluated several methods to help reduce pivot ruts or wheel tracks on pivots. On-farm trials were established at nine site-years with corn (Zea mays L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during 2020–2022 in Utah and Idaho. The eight-boom design (i.e., Advantage booms) had mostly positive crop responses but did not reduce wheel track depth. The part circle (PC) method provided much shallower tracks at one site, but it also lowered crop yield. At other sites there were minimal effects to yield and quality with the PC method, but the early-season, shallow wheel tracks did not usually last through the heaviest time of irrigating. The low energy precision application (LEPA) method was the most reliable method for maintaining crop yield and quality, while improving wheel tracks. The single boom method often maintained crop quality, but it also often reduced yield, and did not improve wheel tracks compared with the nontreated controls. The polyacrylamide had few effects on crop yield and quality, or wheel track depth. There was no approach in the study that maintained yield and reduced pivot track depth compared with no treatment in every scenario, but the LEPA method displayed the greatest potential for uniformly irrigating the area near the wheel track to maintain crop yield and quality, while minimizing water entering the track, to help reduce burdensome pivot ruts. Thus, LEPA may be one of the most effective sprinkler modifications for reducing pivot tracks and adequately irrigating the area around the track.

This research evaluated how several sprinkler modifications and a soil conditioner help reduce pivot ruts or wheel tracks on pivot irrigation systems. On-farm research trials were established at six fields with corn, alfalfa, and wheat during 2020–2022 in Utah and Idaho. The eight-boom sprinkler modification had mostly positive crop responses but did not reduce wheel track depth. The part circle (PC) sprinkler method sometimes reduced wheel rut depth but came at the expense of lost crop production. The low energy precision application (LEPA) sprinkler method was the most reliable method for maintaining crop yield and quality, while improving wheel tracks. The single boom method often reduced yield and did not improve wheel tracks compared with the nontreated tracks. The polyacrylamide soil conditioner had few effects on crop yield and quality, or wheel track depth. There was no approach in the study that maintained yield and reduced pivot track depth compared with no treatment in every scenario, but the LEPA method displayed the greatest potential for uniformly irrigating the area near the wheel track and maintaining crop yield and quality. Thus, LEPA may be one of the most effective tools for reducing pivot tracks and adequately irrigating the area around the track.