What is the idea behind LEPA systems?
Low Energy Precision Application systems were developed in Texas USA for deficit irrigation using furrow dykes on machines with small system capacities. LEPA is common in the Australian cotton industry but is not usually implemented in conjunction with furrow dyking practices. The furrow dykes ensure that water is held and infiltrated where the water is placed. If this practice is not implemented, alternative strategies must be used (soil cracks, stubble, etc.) to minimise water movement. LEPA was originally developed to minimise evaporative & drift losses due to early very high pressure top-of-pipe impact sprinkler systems. Modern sprinkler systems perform at a much higher level – the reality is that less than 1-2% of the applied water can be considered a real loss. Consequently there are now only very minor differences in performance between the field application efficiency of sprinkler and LEPA systems.
