Spray-stakes technology is common in nursery production systems, yet their distribution uniformity has been poorly studied. Recent innovations have the potential to increase distribution uniformity, but may be cost prohibitive. We analyzed the distribution uniformity of two brands of spray-stakes with and without pressure compensating emitters. We then conducted an economic analysis of switching from non-pressure compensating emitters to pressure compensating emitters. The average distribution uniformity measured was: 0.85 for non-pressure compensating Netafim Spray Stakes, 0.82 for the non-pressure compensating Primerus Spot Spitters, 0.95 for pressure compensating Netafim spray stakes, and 0.95 for pressure compensating Primerus Spot Spitters. While pressure compensating emitters do increase distribution uniformity, it would take 4-6 years based on water savings for the investment in pressure compensating emitters to break even, based on Southern California water prices.
