Laboratory evaluation of dripper performance

The catch can method is traditionally used for evaluating performance of drip systems. Two variations of this method are commonly applied in laboratory testing of drippers: the sequential and the simultaneous method. This study compared uniformity and measurement uncertainty of the two methods, with the overall aim of improving irrigation water management. The simultaneous method was found to have a lower coefficient of variation (Cv) and measurement uncertainty, indicating that it is more accurate than the sequential method. In all the tests, however, the Cv was determined to be <5%, which is acceptable as per the current reference standard.