A woollen water retention bed installed under the roots of a tree irrigated by a pipe feed.
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2011-05-18 06:16 Updated: 2021-11-02 15:38
Compilers: Sa'dy Odinashoev
Reviewers: David Streiff, Alexandra Gavilano, Joana Eichenberger
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Tajikistan
- Region/ State/ Province: Tajikistan, Sughd
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Penjakent, Toshmunor
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
The use of sheep's wool placed below the roots of fruit trees, to retain the water fed from a surface pipe.
Detailed description of the Technology
A bed of wool is placed within the hole before a fruit sapling is planted. The wool is fed water via a plastic pipe, which is used to saturate the wool with irrigated water. This provides a prolonged source of moisture for the trees which subsequently helps the tree survive intense dry periods and improves fruit yields.
This technology could also be applied using hay or pressed sawdust as an alternative to the wool to store the water.
Purpose of the Technology: The purpose was to implement a sustainable cost effective and easy irrigation process that will help increase fruit production in the Pejikant region of Tajikistan during the long hot dry summer periods. The process utilises readily locally available natural materials that are environmentally friendly.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: A 1m deep hole is prepared to plant the tree inside. Placed at the foot of the hole is layer of natural wool, approximately 10kg, and a plastic pipe is installed running from the wool layer to the above the surface. On top of the wool a bed of organic compost and/or high quality soil is placed to assist the growth and the sapling is planted in this. The sapling is then watered through the pipe. It is estimated that 10kg of wool will retain around 8 litres of water.
Natural / human environment: This region has low levels of annual precipitation and poor soil quality. Therefore, the land users are reliant on devising ways to improve the soil quality and irrigation practices to increase the amount of land that can be cultivated. With an increasing population and a heavy relaince on the land to support the people, there is a strong desire to bring into production land that in its current state is unproductive.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Toshminor, Penjakent, Sughd, Tajikistan
- 📷 Sa'dy Odinashoev (Muminabad, Tajikistan)
- 📍 Toshminor, Penjakent, Sughd, Tajikistan
- 📷 Sa'dy Odinashoev (Muminabad, Tajikistan)