Water is precious and should be used judiciously. In all types of irrigation methods, water is wasted in many ways.
“..these are innovative methods to reduce the loss of water and fertilizers given to plants..”
..throwing water on the ground and expecting the plant to consume all the water without wastage is almost impossible.. the loss of water through percolation and evaporation etc., is almost inevitable. As the plants have no mobility and limited root system, we need to innovate and implement good practices to support them..
Rootigation
Rootigation 1: A circular pit is prepared around the plant without damaging the roots. Part of the soil in the pit would be covered with polyethylene or biodegradable wax sprayed / covered with any water proof and durable material and then biochar compost would be applied. Water is irrigated in this treated pit.
Rootigation 2: Small Pouches of biochar compost would be attached to the roots of a plant. These can be made of any material, preferably a durable material which can expand. Water (including fertilizers) is taken by the plant by drip irrigation system
Rootroot Graft: Grafting a root of a plant with another root of similar or different species
Sapigation
Sap wood is exposed linearly and a layer of sterile biochar powder is applied and tied with a muslin cloth into which the water and fertilizers (diluted) would be given to the plant.
By using the drip irrigation system, water is given slowly, not wasted. Fertilizers can be mixed in with the water in diluted form, so that the plant consumes them slowly, and roots are not exposed to concentrations of nutrients. This system benefits from biochar’s superior storage capacity and affinity for water.
BIOCHAR SAPIGATION with grafted root into the sap wood (SAPROOTGRAFT)
Sap wood of a tree grafted with root /s (of same / similar / differeent species).
Water loving roots (roots which remain submerged in water all the time) of a species would be more beneficial for grafting.
These roots will take required amount of water from the water pipe and transfers to the plant. Biochar would be used for protecting the exposed root.
BIOCHAR SAPIGATION with the roots of parasitic plants.
The roots of the parasitic plants could be tamed by suppressing the growth of parasitic plant for the benefit of the host tree. These roots will be used for sapigation.
Note: Research should be done further to improve this method.
Usually the capacity of parasitic plants for intake of moisture and nutrients is very high. The rate of transfer of the same to the host plant would be high.
Note: Biochar has a very good affinity for water and it has the storage capacity. No water would be wasted as the water would be given slowly through drip system. The nutrients could also be given to the plant mixed in the water and in diluted form, so that the plant consumes it slowly, rather throwing concentrated quantity at the root zone.
These irrigation systems “Rootigation” and “Sapigation” as defined by the author are a revolution in agriculture irrigation systems.