IIHR develops new irrigation method
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The new one, a hybrid model of two hydroponics fashions, requires a tenth of water utilized in drip irrigation
Scientists on the Hesaraghatta-based Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) have developed a new irrigation method, which conserves much more water than drip irrigation.
The new method, developed on a small experimental plot on the institute, makes use of solely one-tenth of the water utilized in drip irrigation, in keeping with C. Aswath, principal scientist and head of IIHR’s Division of Floriculture and Medicinal Plants.
Dr. Aswath, who developed the mannequin on show on the IIHR’s National Horticulture Fair that started on Monday, advised The Puucho that the institute would additional take a look at the mannequin on a much bigger plot.
“The new model is a hybrid (combined) version of two different hydroponics methods of nutrient film technology (NFT) and wick system,” he defined.
In this mannequin, water is circulated via a pipe that’s laid underground. This pipe may have holes via which wicks are inserted. They will suck water that flows via the pipe and dampen the roots of vegetation.
The water which is pumped via the pipe is collected on the finish and recirculated. Dr. Aswath mentioned water is made to flow into to make sure availability of extra dissolved oxygen to assist the expansion of vegetation.
“The main disadvantage of drip irrigation is that it supplies water above the ground. But when the water percolates into the ground, it clogs the air pores present in the soil. These air pores that have oxygen pockets are crucial for plant breathing. The new hybrid version does not clog the air pores as it works on capillary force,” he says. The vitamins and fertilizers are provided to vegetation via the pipe, he identified.
According to him, the new system could become a recreation changer if it seems to achieve success on massive tracts and it might enhance farming in dry areas. It will be adopted just for cultivation of horticultural crops like vegetables and fruit in addition to greens, he notes. He desires to take up one other experiment to know whether or not the hybrid mannequin helps in purifying chloride water from deep borewells.
The wick system has been developed in each vertical and horizontal mode for terrace gardening in city areas. This, he says, would encourage urbanites to pursue terrace gardening as a passion. He has grown greens utilizing the vertical mannequin and vegetable crops with the horizontal mannequin, that are on show on the ongoing honest that can go on until February 12 on the IIHR campus.
