Also in 1996, environment and carbon footprint, etc. were not burning issues, but water scarcity was, especially at the place I lived where we had water supply on alternate days for just 2 hrs. So water conservation was on everyone's mind.My article on 'Water conserving automatic irrigation system' was published in the Mar'96 issue and appreciation letters poured in from every corner of the country.
Youth was a phase full of ideas and at 35 I cannot wait till retirement to implement them. Today I purchased two earthen pots and got the holes drilled from the vendor himself who threw at me a multiple-choice question (a) Mandir ke liye hai ? (is this meant for a temple) (b) Chidiya ke liye ? (is it for the birds). I opted for none of the above. Its (c) For my plants, was my answer.
Here's the script from the images:"It is usual to water plants in the garden by making small circular shallow pit like structure in the ground around the stem of the plant. When water is poured into it, a part of it seeps into the ground in all directions i.e. towards and also away from the roots and only a little amount actually reaches the roots. Moreover, as the soild around the roots become saturated with water, it prevents further seepage of water into the soil. As a result, a large part of water supplied accumulates in the pit around the stem and is evaporated due to heat, especially in summer, when there is shortage of water and evaporation rate is higher.
To overcome all these losses and for efficient use of water, a new method can be used effectively. Instead of digging a pit around the plant stem, dig one or two small pits close to the stem. If the plants are in a row and close enough then a singlepit between the two can be made.
Take a small earthen pot of size approximately 15 cm diameter and make a small hole at the bottom (1 cm dia) of each pot. Place these pots into the pits such that the neck is at ground level. Fill the pots completely with water and cover with lids.
Advantage of using this method are: As the hole at the bottom of the pots is close to the roots, water reaches directly to the roots. (b) Water from the pot is supplied automatically as and when the water content of soil goes below saturation. (c) Large amount of water is saved as evaporation is avoided.
Practical results have shown that as much as 50-60% of precious water in summer can be saved by this method."
To overcome all these losses and for efficient use of water, a new method can be used effectively. Instead of digging a pit around the plant stem, dig one or two small pits close to the stem. If the plants are in a row and close enough then a singlepit between the two can be made.
Take a small earthen pot of size approximately 15 cm diameter and make a small hole at the bottom (1 cm dia) of each pot. Place these pots into the pits such that the neck is at ground level. Fill the pots completely with water and cover with lids.
Advantage of using this method are: As the hole at the bottom of the pots is close to the roots, water reaches directly to the roots. (b) Water from the pot is supplied automatically as and when the water content of soil goes below saturation. (c) Large amount of water is saved as evaporation is avoided.
Practical results have shown that as much as 50-60% of precious water in summer can be saved by this method."
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