Micro-sprinkling is one of the common water-saving irrigation methods. Micro-sprinkling emitters irrigate crops by spraying water streams. In micro-sprinkling systems, various micro-sprinklers and spray tapes are commonly used emitters. For micro-sprinkling systems used for open-field flower cultivation, spray tapes are generally laid on the ground or micro-sprinklers are inserted into the soil; in protected horticulture, micro-sprinklers are usually hung upside down on the greenhouse frame so as not to interfere with irrigation of other crops by the micro-sprinkling system.

Rotating micro-sprinklers and deflector micro-sprinklers are the two most common types of sprinklers in micro-sprinkling irrigation systems. In general, rotating micro-sprinklers are used for supplementary irrigation. Deflector micro-sprinklers are further divided into refraction micro-sprinklers and centrifugal micro-sprinklers. Refraction micro-sprinklers serve dual purposes of irrigation, humidification and cooling. Centrifugal micro-sprinklers are often used for atomized irrigation in soilless culture and also provide humidification and cooling effects.

To create a favorable microclimate in the field, drip irrigation and micro-sprinkling shall be combined. Drip irrigation acts as the primary irrigation method, while the micro-sprinkling system is mainly used for supplementary irrigation, humidification and cooling.

Precautions for using the micro-sprinkling system:

1. When micro-sprinklers are installed upside down, anti-drip devices must be fitted to prevent dripping after water cut-off, which may damage flowers.

2. Where the micro-sprinkling system and drip irrigation system share one water source in greenhouses, pressure reducing devices shall be installed on the drip irrigation system or local pressure boosting devices on the micro-sprinkling system, to avoid burst of the drip irrigation system or failure of the micro-sprinklers to spray water.

3. Micro-sprinkling equipment must be cleaned regularly. Cleaning after each irrigation is recommended. It is forbidden to remove the filter element and leave it unused.