Spray irrigation is described as:

• A. Flood irrigation that wets the entire field.
• B. Drip irrigation delivering water directly to roots.
• C. Furrow irrigation in trenches.
• D. Expensive and energy-consuming; 75-95% efficient; water pumped from a well into spray nozzles that spray water across the field; 1/4 or less of water is lost.

Answer: (D)

Spray irrigation uses pressurized water delivered through sprinkler heads to spray water across the field, providing broad, uniform coverage rather than letting water flow over the surface or run in furrows. The description that water is pumped from a well into spray nozzles and sprayed across the field captures this method's essence: it requires pumping and pressurization, which contributes to higher energy use and operating costs. Because water is dispersed as a spray, efficiency typically falls in a range around 75–95%, with losses usually limited to about a quarter or less, depending on wind, evaporation, and nozzle design. That combination of energy-intensive pumping, equipment costs, and good but not perfect efficiency is why spray irrigation is considered expensive and energy-consuming, even though it delivers reliable, wide-area coverage. Flood irrigation wets the entire field, drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, and furrow irrigation runs water along trenches, so they describe different approaches rather than the spray method.