Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why do center-pivot irrigation systems leave the corners of square fields unwatered?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Irrigation
Specialized irrigation equipment watering crops in a field.
Center-pivot irrigation systems leave the corners of square fields unwatered because of their mechanical design. The system consists of a long lateral arm anchored at the center of the field, which rotates in a circular motion to distribute water. Because the arm sweeps the field in a circle, it cannot reach the corners of a square-shaped plot, as those areas fall outside the circular path traced by the rotating arm.1
While this is a noted disadvantage of the sprinkler irrigation system, these units remain highly effective for applying controlled amounts of water with minimal labor.1