SCIENCE PROJECT

DRIP IRRIGATION AND DESERT VEGETATION

By Aryan Wadhwani ,6B

Vegetation in Deserts
Life in the desert is difficult for plants, since they cannot run and hide in the shade or bury themselves underground like water. The Sun scorches, and temperatures change from infernal heat during the day to very cold nights. Also, rain is extremely scarce, and when it does come it is always violent and torrential. In order to survive, desert plants have learnt to be resistant, to wait, and to grow and reproduce quickly when rain does fall. Despite these limitations, desert vegetation is low and sparse. In general, the plants have a dry, spiny look, and trees are very rare indeed.

To endure the driest season, desert plants use three clever tricks: (1) some plants lose their stems and leaves and survive solely through their

roots, (2) other plants wither and leave their seeds waiting for the next rainfall, and (3) the true desert plants-the only ones that are permanently visible-have gone through great transformations in order to be able to conserve water the cacti are the most well-known of these.

In order to avoid having to share water with other plants, many species have developed toxic
mechanisms to repel neighbors and fellow species and keep them off their territory. The result is

that the plants stay very away from each other.

Plants have extensive root systems that reach deep into the earth to collect groundwater or that spread out widely near the surface to absorb surface moisture. Many desert plants have small waxy or leathery leaves that limit moisture loss. Others, such as cacti, retain water in their roots and stems. Certain plants appear only after drenching rains, go through an entire life cycle, and leave seeds that will germinate only after the next heavy rain.

Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or micro irrigation or localized irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant.

Advantages

Water Conservation - Drip irrigation allows you an efficient watering by supplying water where it is needed - at the very roots of the plants. As a result, water is not wasted on leaves or soil. This

significantly reduces the chances for evaporation and run off. Both are common with traditional irrigation systems where the water is often supplied at a rate greater than the soil can absorb it.

Reduce Weed Growth - When water is applied using a conventional sprinkler, everything gets wet. Since drip irrigation applies water to the root zone of your plants, the spaces in between plants remain dry. This greatly inhibits weed seed germination. If the soil remains dry, most seeds will not germinate. Landscape maintenance takes less time with drip irrigation.

Reduce Plant Stress - When plants get deep, consistent watering, they thrive. Inefficient, shallow watering can contribute to plant stress. Promote healthy growth and disease resistance plants in your garden with drip.

Extremely Flexible Application - You have many options with drip irrigation tubing, fittings, and

emitters. It is a versatile watering system which can easily be installed on hillsides or flat terrains.

Drip is the perfect irrigation method for oddly shaped landscapes and windy areas. Existing sprinkler systems can be retrofit with drip irrigation with very little effort.

Save Money - Once a drip irrigation system is installed, you will use less water to irrigate. If you are on a well, you will notice a severe drop in your pumping costs. You will no longer need to hand watering your garden. Automate you system with an irrigation controller and eliminate the need to pay someone to while are on vacation. With the reduction of plant disease and unwanted weeds, your gardening labor and maintenance costs will also drop considerably.

Drip Irrigation in Deserts

Drip irrigation has been very useful in deserts where there is a scarcity of water resources. Drip irrigation has helped in transforming the desert into a green oasis. A classic example of this is the UAE, which despite being a desert has greenery and parks all around. Various crops grown using drip irrigation include watermelons, apples, green onions, cucumbers, corn, hot peppers, melons, bell peppers, radishes, carrots, cabbage, soybeans, pears, tomatoes, squash and spinach. Drip irrigation uses 30 to 90 percent less water than traditional methods.

Dates are the traditionally food of desert oases. Olives, figs, peaches, melons, grapes, citrus fruits, fruit, vegetables, beans, rice, barely, wheat,

cotton, sugar cane, alfalfa, apricots, peaches, pomegranates, and other food grains can all be raised around an oasis if there is enough water and in some cases shade.

Drip irrigation technology can support farmers to adapt to climate change by providing efficient use of water supply. Particularly in areas subject to climate change impacts such as seasonal droughts, drip irrigation reduces demand for water and reduces water evaporation losses (as evaporation increases at higher temperatures). Scheduled water application will provide the necessary water resources direct to the plant when required. THE END