Water efficient irrigation method for horticulture in arid region

Saudi Arabia lies in the arid climatic region with very little rainfall and extremely high temperature most part of the year. Due to the virtual absence of rivers and fresh water lakes in the country, potable water is one of the main concerns of Saudi government. Industrial Minerals Application section of Saudi geological Survey has successfully tested innovative, economic and water efficient systems for irrigating indoor and outdoor potted plants and plants grown in the ground. Subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS) was designed for the plants grown in the ground. Geopot system was intended for growing potted outdoor and indoor plants. Geopot system was applied to the ordinary planters over a little extra cost and worked on the principle of capillary action. In both systems water was directly supplied to the plant’s roots without being evaporated or water logged. Locally sourced scoria used as supporting medium for plants helped in retaining water and circulating air in the root zone of plants. These methods minimized the water loss caused by evaporation and seepage and utilized much less water than any other method.