What irrigation practice helps to reduce evaporation losses?

Applying water in the evening is an effective irrigation practice for reducing evaporation losses because temperatures are generally cooler during this time. When irrigation occurs in the evening or at night, the water has a greater chance to soak into the soil rather than being lost to the atmosphere through evaporation, which is more prevalent during daytime when temperatures and sunlight intensity are higher.

Additionally, applying water in the evening can allow plants to absorb moisture before the heat of the day, improving plant health and reducing stress. This practice is crucial, especially in hot and dry climates, where minimizing evaporation can significantly contribute to water conservation.

The other practices listed, while they may have their own benefits, do not effectively target evaporation reduction in the same way. Wetting foliage can lead to increased evaporation and potentially promote disease; using wide furrows can lead to more surface area for evaporation; and increasing water pressure does not inherently influence evaporation rates but might affect the distribution pattern of the water applied.