The document describes innovative methods for conserving water and nutrients for plants called biochar rootigation, biochar sapigation, and floatigation. Biochar rootigation involves placing biochar compost in pouches attached to plant roots or in pits surrounding roots. Biochar sapigation applies a layer of biochar powder to exposed sap wood to absorb water and nutrients. Floatigation grows plants on floats where water is absorbed through capillary action in biochar. These methods aim to reduce water and fertilizer loss by allowing plants to slowly take up precisely what they need.

1. {…innovative means of conserving water and nutrients given to plants…}
BIOCHAR AND PLANTS
ROOTIGATION
SAPIGATION
FLOATIGATION GEOCHAR
GEO
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy http://e-geo.org
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

2. A circular pit is prepared
BIOCHAR ROOTIGATION 1 around the plant without
damaging the roots. Part of
the soil in the pit would be
covered with polyethylene or
biodegradable wax sprayed /
covered with any water proof
and durable material and then
biochar compost would be
applied.
Biochar
Waterproof liquid spray
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

3. BIOCHAR ROOTIGATION 2
W
WATER & NUTRIENTS
A
R
E
T
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com
Small Pouches of biochar compost would be attached to the roots of a
plant. These can be made of any material, preferably a durable material
which can expand. Water (including fertilizers) is taken by the plant by
drip irrigation system

4. BIOCHAR ROOTIGATION 2
WAT
WATER & NUTRIENTS
ER
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

5. BIOCHAR ROOTIGATION 2 with grafted root (Rootrootgraft)
W
WATER & NUTRIENTS
A
R
T
E
Rootroot Graft
Grafting a root
of a plant with
another root
of similar or
different
species
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com
Small Pouches of biochar compost would be attached to the roots of a
plant. These can be made of any material, preferably a durable material
which can expand. Water (including fertilizers) is taken by the plant by
drip irrigation system

6. BIOCHAR SAPIGATION
Sap wood is exposed linearly and a layer
of sterile biochar powder is applied and
tied with a muslin cloth into which the
water and fertilizers (diluted) would be
given to the plant.
By using the drip irrigation system,
water is given slowly, not wasted.
Fertilizers can be mixed in with the
water in diluted form, so that the plant
consumes them slowly, and roots are Biochar
not exposed to concentrations of
nutrients. This system benefits from
biochar's superior storage capacity and
affinity for water.
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
Water and fertilizers
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

7. BIOCHAR SAPIGATION with grafted root into
the sap wood (SAPROOTGRAFT)
Sap wood of a tree
grafted with root /s (of
same / similar / differeent
species).
Water loving roots (roots
which remain submerged
in water all the time) of a
species would be more
beneficial for grafting.
These roots will take
required amount of water Biochar
from the water pipe and
transfers to the plant.
Biochar would be used for Grafted root
protecting the exposed
root
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
Water and fertilizers
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

8. BIOCHAR SAPIGATION with the roots of
parasitic plants.
The roots of the parasitic plants could be
tamed by suppressing the growth of
parasitic plant for the benefit of the host
tree. These roots will be used for
sapigation.
roots of
Note: Research should be done further parasitic
to improve this method. plants.
The
Usually the capacity of parasitic plants shoots are
Biochar
for intake of moisture and nutrients is suppresse
very high. The rate of transfer of the d
same to the host plant would be high.
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
Water and fertilizers
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

9. FLOATIGATION
Floatigation is growing plants on floats, where the water (including fertilizers)
are taken through capillary action. The plant absorbs the required quantity
of water aided by the capillary action of biochar. Water supply can be
adjusted by raising or lowering containers as required.
Plastic tray
Float water
(Styrofoam)
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

10. Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

11. Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

12. “..these are innovative methods to reduce the loss of water and
fertilizers given to plants..”
Consider plants as sensitive, they need to be taken care because
we have domesticated them for our own benefit in the name of
agriculture. The treatment given to plants is “inplant” /
“inhuman”. (The term inplant is given to experss insensitivity
towards plants).
..throwing water on the ground and expecting the plant to
consume all the water without wastage is almost
impossible..the loss of water through percolation and
evaporation etc., is almost inevitable. As the plants have no
mobility and limited root system, we need to innovate and
implement good practices to support them..
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com