| Details of Innovation |
Fruit bearing trees need moisture in the roots rather than on trunk. Hence, channel irrigation system is best suited for these trees. Watering is done near to the trunk in young plant. But as the canopy of the plant increases to two feet breath, irrigation is given by the ring method. The ring is dug two feet away around the trunk. As the tree becomes older the irrigation is applied by digging the straight channel away from tree trunk. The distance is decided on the basis of the width of the canopy. More the spread of canopy, farther the canal is prepared. Every year while preparing new channel maximum possible compost is filled in old canal. Then dug out soil of fresh canal is spread over this compost covering it properly. Changing of channel brings a stage when only one channel will be operating between two rows of trees. These channels are also filled with waste of plants like dry leaves, sub branches which on rotting provides natural manure to the roots of tree. Active roots of round the year fruit bearing big trees like sapota (Achras sapota) and coconut (Cocos nucifera) are in the upper layer of soil and provides moisture and oxygen to the tree.
Speciality of this channel is that water can be applied very easily and excess water during rainy days can drain out .
This system is very beneficial for fruit crop farming. Earthworms develop inside soil increasing soil humidity, which increases fertility, and yield. Many organizations and farmers are using this practice for fruit cropping. |
Honey Bee Network Knowledge & Innovation Database (HBNKIND)
