Dozens of papers and reports state that planting pits increase infiltration but none of them state by exactly how much or provide and figures whatsoever. Does anyone have any data in this regard?
Dear David,
planting pits are in situ rainwater harvesting tools.
Not the infiltration but the catching/harvesting of water is the issue.
They are very often used on sloping land; and making it easier for the water to enter the pit is the first issue of the harvesting puzzle.
The water then is collected near the dry bottom where its infiltration can be used for the plant(s) planted in the pits.
Normally the bottom soil takes water easily before and after planting.
You harvest more water when the surfaces between pits are not very permeable for water.
Kindest regards, Kees
Dear David,
planting pits are in situ rainwater harvesting tools.
Not the infiltration but the catching/harvesting of water is the issue.
They are very often used on sloping land; and making it easier for the water to enter the pit is the first issue of the harvesting puzzle.
The water then is collected near the dry bottom where its infiltration can be used for the plant(s) planted in the pits.
Normally the bottom soil takes water easily before and after planting.
You harvest more water when the surfaces between pits are not very permeable for water.
Kindest regards, Kees
Does anyone have figures for exactly how much zai/tassa/planting pits increase infiltration?
As pointed out the zai tassa or planting pit is way of harvesting and directing water.
In the arid region the retention and use of water can be dependent on the ability to add the stabilized organic material into the zai. On a sandy soil the increasing of the stabilized will depend of using organic clay complexes to amend the zai.
The use of clay and/or silt to be included with organic waste will develop those complexes when composted. The mature compost is added in the area of the zai.
When amended the traansformation of the stabilized organoclay complex amounts more percolation of harvested water, more retention and use and facilitiates the mineral nutrition of the crop.
The soil of less than 1% soil organic matter can capture and retain less than 30 units for every 100 unites of the dry soil. On 5% soil organic matter the capture and retention is over 200 units of water in the same 100 units dry soil. The increase of conservation and retention is thus from less than 30 to over 200.
The improved structure imparted from the organic amendment is able to increase not only the retention but also the percolation and feeds the soil microbial activity so important for high quality yield and health.
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