Strawberry production in Florida traditionally relies on impact sprinklers for bare-root transplant establishment and freeze protection, leading to significant water consumption and potential nutrient leaching and runoff. This study assessed micro-sprinkler systems as alternatives to enhance water use efficiency while maintaining crop performance. The objectives were to (1) evaluate micro-sprinklers in research and commercial settings and (2) assess sprinkler distribution uniformity under different wind conditions. Field trials at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL compared four micro-sprinklers to an impact sprinkler (control), measuring water use, plant vigor, and yield. The tested systems utilized Mini Revolver, SuperNet Jet, Mini-Wobbler, and Xcel Wobbler micro-sprinklers. The irrigation systems were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Additionally, lower quarter distribution uniformity (DUlq) tests with catch cans were conducted to evaluate sprinkler efficiency for freeze protection across varying wind conditions in Citra. The best-performing micro-sprinkler system was evaluated on a commercial strawberry farm in Plant City, FL in comparison with the grower’s Rotator sprinkler system. In Citra, all micro-sprinkler systems used less water than the impact sprinkler for bareroot transplant establishment and freeze protection. Water use was lowest with the Mini-Revolver, which decreased water use by 66% during establishment and 64% during freeze protection without adversely affecting plant survival or yields. Similar reductions were observed at the commercial farm, with water savings reaching 58% during establishment and 63% during freeze events. Significant variation in DUlq in response to wind conditions was observed among the sprinkler systems. Wind speeds >7 mph decreased DUlq, with the Mini-Revolver resulting in the lowest DUlq. However, at wind speeds 7 mph, which would decrease freeze protection effectiveness.
