Is drip irrigation or spray stakes a practical alternative to overhead irrigation for 1- and 3-gallon containers?

For 1- and 3 gallon containers, there is no practical alternative to overhead sprinklers. Yes, they waste a lot of water, but the cost and complication of using spray stakes, etc. is not the answer. Drip emitters over the top of 1 gallon does not work, mostly because of the expansion and contraction of the poly lines and not getting the water where it is needed.