Which issue could affect Distribution Uniformity in a sprinkler system?

• A. Worn-out timer
• B. Inaccurate soil moisture sensor
• C. Broken sprinkler heads
• D. Over-pressurized main line

Answer: (C)

Distribution Uniformity is about how evenly water is delivered across the irrigated area. Sprinkler heads are the direct source of the spray pattern, so any physical issue with them can directly mess up that pattern. If a sprinkler head is broken, it may not spray properly or at all, causing some areas to receive too little water while others get more. That nonuniform delivery lowers distribution uniformity.

The other options affect irrigation in different ways. A worn-out timer changes when and how long water is applied, not how it’s spread across the field. An inaccurate soil moisture sensor can lead to decisions that misjudge how much water to apply, but it doesn’t change the actual spray distribution. An over-pressurized main line can alter pressure and spray characteristics, but the most direct and impactful cause of uneven distribution remains a broken sprinkler head.