The hydraulic performance of the drip irrigation system at the University of Sulaimani is evaluated using the IRRICAD software. Key parameters were assessed through field measurements under constant operating pressure. These included the dripper discharge coefficient of variation (Vqs), hydraulic design coefficient of variation (Vhs), dripper performance coefficient of variation (Vp f ), emission uniformity (EU), Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CU), and statistical uniformity of dripper discharge (Us). The results indicate excellent system performance, with CU and EU exceeding 90%. The Vqs values were below 0.1, Vhs ranged from 10% to 20%, and Vp f varied between 5% and 10%, all reflecting high efficiency. Laboratory tests on pressure-compensating drippers showed the mean flow variation of 0.028 and the mean coefficient of variation (COV) of 0.013, confirming consistent dripper performance. The mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) for discharge were recorded as 2.29 (L/h)2, 1.09 (L/h), and 1.48 (L/h), while MSE, MAE, and RMSE for pressure were recorded as 0.08 bar2, 0.26 bar, and 0.28 bar. These results highlight the greater accuracy and lower deviation in pressure and discharge measurements. The close alignment between IRRICAD’s pressure and discharge simulations and field data validates the software’s accuracy and reliability, underscoring its potential as a valuable tool for evaluating hydraulic performance in irrigation systems.
