What would likely happen if irrigation is performed during peak sunlight hours?

Irrigating during peak sunlight hours likely leads to increased evaporation, reducing the efficiency of the watering. When water is applied to the soil during hot, sunny conditions, a significant portion of it can evaporate before being absorbed by the plants' roots. This evaporation from the soil surface and the plant leaves can lead to water loss, making the irrigation process less effective in delivering moisture where it's needed most.

The other options do not capture the fundamental impact of potential water loss during these hours. For instance, while even distribution is critical, it doesn't account for the immediate negative effects of evaporation. Similarly, the time required for watering may not change significantly, and improved plant growth rates are contingent on adequate moisture reaching the roots, which the increased evaporation during peak sunlight hours may hinder. Therefore, the inefficiency created by excessive evaporation clearly illustrates why this choice stands out as the most likely outcome.