In reality it is difficult to reach the ideal, but some of the available equipment can come close to it. Crop yield is improved due to the improved uniformity of application. The crop is much more uniform throughout the length of the field. In 1985, one half of a 35-acre corn field was irrigated with this equipment, and the other half irrigated with siphon tubes. Using the identical cultural practices except for irrigation, the remaining 18 acres produced 148 bushels per acre.
Maintenance is relatively simple.
In such an advance phase, water is in the furrow for 30 minutes and out for 30 minutes, then back in again and so on until it reaches the end of the furrow. In the advance phase, it is important that the water be out of the furrows long enough that the furrow completely de-waters, or that all of the water disappears from the furrow. Much of the advantage of surging in the advance phase is lost if this is not the case. During this phase the alternate filling and emptying of the furrow quickly lowers the soil's infiltration capacity, reduces the percolation depth, and smooths the furrow surface. These changes in soil behavior and furrow condition make for more efficient water use in the second, cutback phase.