Micrometeorological test of microsprinklers for frost protection of fruit orchards

Intermittent irrigation proved to be very good both for plant protection and for a better water use (greater irrigated area, lower risk of oxygen deficiency in the root zone). The goal of this research is to investigate about the efficiency of different sprinkler types and water volumes in enhancing air temperature in the canopy layer and to optimise the amount and the cycling of the water applied. This knowledge is important for the improvement of this new technique, firstly proposed in Italy in 1992 by Ferri et al. This paper reports some results obtained from a three-years long experiment designed at this scope.