PITCHER IRRIGATION PRACTICES PERAMBALUR REGION IN TAMILNADU

Abstract

Water is the primary input for crop production and increasingly becomes scarce due to its high demand in agricultural sector. Quality of water is assuming great importance with the increasing demand in industries, agriculture and rise in standard of living. Agriculture is the major user (89%) of India’s water resources. Pitcher irrigation is an ancient and very effectual irrigation system employed in many arid and semiarid counties. Among traditional irrigation systems, pitcher irrigation is one among the foremost efficient and compatible for little farmers in many areas of the planet. Small pitchers are often used because they are less expensive than large ones. Water seeps out of a buried pitcher due to the pressure head gradient across the wall of the pitcher directly into the root zone of the irrigated crop. Pitcher irrigation entails burying an unglazed, porous clay pot with in soil before seedling. Water poured into pot seeps slowly into the soil, feeding the seedling's roots with a gentle supply of moisture. It also helps to improve soil physical properties particularly the structural status in soil and also enhances the water use efficiency of the crop, soil organic carbon and builds up soil fertility.