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.