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Field trials were conducted in the arid and semi-arid of the North West Kenya to assess the impact of sprinkler nozzle size on physical soil properties and subsequently on crop yield. Three different sprinkler sizes were tested under subsoiling and non subsoiling tillage field conditions. Green gram (Vigna radiata syn. Phaseolus aureus) was used as a test crop in each experimental plot. Soil particle distribution, penetration resistance, sprinkler characteristics and soil infiltration rates were assessed. Results indicated that the soil was sandy loam with a bulk density of 1.68 g/cm3 and an optimum compaction moisture content of 17.53%. Compaction was 146 bars for Jalpari sprinkler type with more discharge at the end of the trials compared to Taiwan which had 142.5 bars. Naan sprinkler which had the least discharge caused compaction of 145 bars. Obtained results showed that there were no significant differences in crop yield due to sprinkler type. The trends however showed that sprinklers with high discharge resulted into lower yields. It was concluded that sprinklers with high discharge caused soil compaction and subsequently lower yield. The use of Taiwan sprinkler type and adoption of subsoiling tillage which gave the best yields were recommended for the project.

Keywords: Compaction, infiltration, penetration resistance.

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Citation: Serem PK, Kipkorir EC, Ng’etich WK (2016). Effects of sprinkler irrigation on physical properties of soil and on the yields of green gram. J. Agric. Crop Res. 4(3): 35-42.