A method of irrigating a land using a soil amendment and its application method

Abstract

            The present invention provides a method of irrigating a land. Particularly, the present invention provides a method of irrigating a land using a soil amendment and its application method. The present invention provides a method of reducing water consumption by a plant during irrigation and increasing water use efficiency of a plant using a soil amendment and its application method.

Description

Full specificationA METHOD OF IRRIGATING A LAND USING A SOIL AMENDMENT AND ITS APPLICATION METHOD TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention provides a method of irrigating a land. Particularly, the present invention provides a method of irrigating a land using a soil amendment and its application method.BackgroundThe scarcity of water always makes it difficult to irrigate and also challenges the sustainability of agriculture. The problem is even more severe in desert areas. The handful number of plants or trees that can be cultivated or grown in desert soil includes but not limited to Palm, Sorghum, Desert Ironwood Tree (Olneyatesota), Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata), Sweet Acacia Tree / Acacia Farnesiana (Vachellia farnesiana), Date Palm Tree (Phoenix dactylifera), Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllumsecundiflorum), Texas Ebony (Ebenopsisebano) and like. The farming in desert is carried out for both purposes i.e. producing food and grains and landscaping. The desert trees have a high water requirement and may account for about one-third of all groundwater utilization in the crop producing regions. Water use efficiency of the desert trees sector needs to be improved to enhance production under stressed environments. With growing demand for water, dwindling resources and reducing ground water, it is essential to find remedies and devise new methods of irrigation and saving water, and maintain the sustainability of agriculture in such areas. There is a pressing demand for solutions which reduce water input in irrigation without impacting growth and yield of the crop.Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of irrigation for land with or without stressed water conditions which is aimed at achieving higher yields and better-quality produce using less water input. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of growing desert plants / trees in stressed water conditions. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for growing and irrigating land with or without stressed water conditions with less water input in presence of a soil amendment.Brief SummaryAn aspect of the present invention provides a method of irrigating a land comprising,i) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus);ii) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,iii) digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the another locus / loci; andiv) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof.In an embodiment, the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.In an embodiment, soil may be added along with soil amendment in said holes.said method involves digging more than one hole around the plant locus on or within said another locus / loci. In an embodiment, the method involves digging 2 to 8 holes around the plant locus.In an aspect, the present invention provides a method of irrigating a land comprising,i) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus)ii) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,iii) digging a plurality of holes with diameter ranging from about 0.05m to about 1m having a depth of about 0.1m to about 1m distributed on or within the another locus / loci,iv) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; andwherein the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.In one aspect, said plant is a desert plant, wherein the desert plant is a palm or date palm. Preferably, said desert plant is a date palm.In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of increasing water use efficiency and yield of a desert plant, said method comprising%2) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus);%2) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,%2) digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the another locus / loci; and%2) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; andwherein the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of reducing the water consumption in irrigating a land, said method comprising%2) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus);%2) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,%2) digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the another locus / loci; and%2) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; andwherein the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment. Detailed DescriptionFor the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials / ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about".Unless otherwise stated, all exact values provided herein are representative of corresponding approximate values (e.g., all exact exemplary values provided with respect to a particular factor or measurement can be considered to also provide a corresponding approximate measurement, modified by "about," where appropriate). As used herein, the term "about" refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of + / -15% or less, specifically variations of + / -10% or less, more specifically variations of + / -5% or less, even more specifically variations of + / -1% or less, and still more specifically variations of + / -0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosure described herein. Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All provided ranges of values are intended to include the end points of the ranges, as well as values between the end points, and are independently combinable. As used herein, all numerical values or numerical ranges include integers within such ranges and fractions of the values or the integers within ranges unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a range of 90-100%, includes 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 95%, 97%, etc., as well as 91.1%, 91.2%, 91.3%, 91.4%, 91.5%, etc., 92.1%, 92.2%, 92.3%, 92.4%, 92.5%, etc., and so forth. All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified parameters, methods of use or composition that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.Within the context of this specification, the term “crop” or “plant” refers to any plant or crop grown in desert areas, arid areas, areas located at elevated altitude, areas having high salinity, areas characterized by extreme temperatures, and soils having an extreme pH. It also includes any plant grown in sand or in conditions of stressed water availability.As used herein, the term “locus” refers to any habitat, breeding ground, plant, plant propagation material, soil, area, material, or environment in which a plant is growing or may grow. In the context of the present invention, it also refers to an area wherein the method of irrigation as described herein the embodiments of the specification is carried out.The term “planter” as used herein refers to any person, agriculturist or a farmer who is growing, cultivating, or selling the plant or plant products.The term "soil" refers to particulate surface material of the earth, whether or not it contains organic matter, and includes one or more of sand, silt, clay, and crushed rock such as decomposed granite. The term "sand" refers to any granular material formed by the disintegration of rocks to form particles smaller than gravel but coarser than silt. Sand may or may not include organic matter.As used herein, "soil amendment" refers to any material, chemical, biological, organic, inorganic in nature, when added to a soil, a planting medium or a growth medium of a plant positively impacts soil quality making it beneficial for plant growth, health and yield. It also includes a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, a mineral, a biostimulant, etc. which benefit soil quality, soil mineral content, soil nutrient content, soil moisture content, soil microflora, root environment, absorption of nutrients and minerals by plants and plant growth, health and yield.Within the context of this specification, the terms “superabsorbent polymer” or “SAP” refer to water swellable polymers that can absorb water many times their weight in an aqueous solution. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the term superabsorbent polymers also apply to polymers that absorb water as well as de-sorb the absorbed water. The superabsorbent polymer may be selected from but not limited to water- swellable or water absorbing or water-retentive polymers such as cross-linked polymers that swell without dissolving in the presence of water, and may, absorb at least 10, 100, 1000, or more times their weight in water.An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of irrigating a land comprising:,%2) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus),%2) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,%2) digging a plurality of holes with diameter ranging from about 0.05m to about 1m having a depth of about 0.1m to about 1m distributed on or within the another locus / loci,%2) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof.In an embodiment, the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.In an embodiment, soil may be added along with soil amendment in said holes.In an embodiment, said method involves digging more than one hole around the plant locus on or within said another locus / loci.In an embodiment, the method involves digging 2 to 8 holes around the plant locus. Preferably, the method involves digging 4 holes around the plant planted or to be planted at the plant locus.In an embodiment, said holes are distributed at varied distance from the plant locus on or within the identified another locus / loci, wherein the distance varies from about 0.1 m to about 10 m from the plant locus. Said holes may be distributed linearly within the identified another locus / loci or may be distributed around the plant locus at varied distances from the stem or the root of the plant. In a preferred embodiment, the holes are distributed equidistantly from the stem / trunk or the root of the plant around the plant locus.In an embodiment, the holes have a diameter ranging from about 0.05m to about 1m. In one embodiment, the holes have varying diameters within the range given herein. In one embodiment, the holes have equal diameters. In a preferred embodiment, the holes are of equal diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the holes have a diameter of 0.2 m.In an embodiment, the holes have a depth of about 0.1m to about 1m. In another embodiment, the holes have varying depth within the range given herein. In one embodiment, the holes have equal depth. In a preferred embodiment, the holes have a depth of about 0.5 m.In another embodiment, soil amendment is applied in the holes up to the brim filling in the form of layers or a mixture.In an embodiment, the soil amendment mixture is applied in the holes up to the brim filling the entire hole. In an embodiment, said soil amendment mixture may comprise a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; and optionally may comprise soil. In another embodiment, the soil amendment may be applied in layers within the hole. Such layers may comprise of distinctive layers of soil amendment interspersed with layers of soil or planting medium. Alternately, the layers may belong to different soil amendments such as a layer of superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient applied in any order or repetitions. In an embodiment atleast one layer of soil amendment comprise a super absorbent polymer. In an embodiment, the thickness of layer(s) of soil amendment may be variable or equal. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the thickness of the soil amendment layer and the order of the layers would be determined according to the soil amendment(s) used and requirements of the plant in consideration.In an embodiment, the soil amendment comprises at least one superabsorbent polymer.In an embodiment, first layer of soil amendment applied is of super absorbent polymer. In another embodiment last layer of soil amendment applied is of super absorbent polymer. In yet another embodiment any middle layer of soil amendment applied is of super absorbent polymer. In another embodiment, intermittent layers of soil may be added between two layers of soil amendment. Thus, in an embodiment, the first, last and / or middle layer of soil amendment applied is of super absorbent polymer and optionally, intermittent layers of soil are added between two layers of soil amendment.In an embodiment, water is applied using irrigation systems including, but not limited to, surface irrigation, localized irrigation, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, pivot irrigation, terraced irrigation, center pivot irrigation, lateral move irrigation, sub-irrigation, manual irrigation, furrow irrigation, or combinations of the said systems. Preferably, the irrigation system is drip irrigation.In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of irrigating a desert plant comprising,1. selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus),2. selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,3. digging a plurality of holes with diameter ranging from about 0.05m to about 1m having a depth of about 0.1m to about 1m distributed on or within the identified another locus,4. applying a soil amendment and soil in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; andwherein said method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment. The soil amendment is applied at various stages of plant growth. The time and rate of application and choice of soil amendment is decided Thus, in an embodiment, said method involves application of soil amendment at any stage of growth of plant, before sowing or during sowing or planting. In a preferred embodiment, the soil amendment may be applied right after pollination or at the beginning of fruit set. In a preferred embodiment, soil amendment is applied for grown plants. For date palms, soil amendment may be applied when plant has an age of 5 - 10 years.In an embodiment the plurality of holes are dug right after pollination or at the beginning of fruit set. In a preferred embodiment, soil amendment is applied for grown plants. In another soil amendment may be applied when plant has an age of 5 - 10 years.In one embodiment, the holes may be dug by any conventional method known to a person skilled in the art. Such techniques include manual digging with the help of tools or with advanced machinery known to a person skilled in the art, or use of machines such as a tractor, a drill and so forth. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the methods used for digging said holes are not limiting to the aspects of the present invention.In one embodiment, said plant is a desert plant. In a preferred embodiment said desert plant is a palm. Preferably, said desert plant is a date palm.According to an embodiment, the superabsorbent polymers is selected from, but not limited to, copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acrylate, copolymer of acrylamide and potassium acrylate; hydrolyzed starch-polyacrylonitrile; 2-propenenitrile homopolymer) or poly(2-propenamide-co- 2-propanoic acid, sodium salt); starch-g poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, mixed sodium and aluminium salts); starch g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, potassium salt); poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, sodium salt); Starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, Starch-g-poly(propenoic acid) potassium salt, poly-2-propanoic acid, sodium salt; starch-g poly(acrylonitrile) or poly(2-propenamide-co-sodium acrylate); starch / acrylonitrile copolymer; crosslinked copolymers of acrylamide and sodium acrylate; crosslinked polymers of acrylamide and sodium polyacrylate; anionic polyacrylamide; starch grafted sodium polyacrylates; crosslinked copolymers of potassium polyacrylate and polyacrylamide; sodium polyacrylate; superabsorbent polymer laminates and composites; partial sodium salt of crosslinked polypropenoic acid; potassium polyacrylate, lightly crosslinked; sodium polyacrylate, lightly crosslinked; poly(sodiumacrylate) homopolymer; polyacrylamide polymers, carrageenan, agar, alginic acid, guar gums and its derivatives, and gellan gum.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent polymers are selected from starch-based superabsorbent polymer that includes a monomer graft polymerized onto starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent polymers are selected from group comprising of copolymers of hydrolyzed starch- polyacrylonitrile; 2-propenenitrile homopolymer, hydrolyzed, sodium salt or poly(acrylamide co-sodium acrylate) or poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, sodium salt); starch-g-poly(2propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, mixed sodium and aluminium salts); starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, potassium salt); poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propanoic acid, sodium salt); poly-2-propanoic acid, sodium salt; starch-g-poly(acrylonitrile) or poly(2-propenamide-co-sodium acrylate).In a preferred embodiment, the superabsorbent polymers are selected from the group comprising starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt, starch-g-poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) potassium salt, sodium polyacrylamide and potassium polyacrylamide.According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent polymer is starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid) potassium salt or crosslinked polyacrylic acid potassium salt.According to another embodiment of the present invention, particle size of the superabsorbent polymers is in the range from about 2380 pm to about 149 pm (equivalent to 8-100 mesh).In an embodiment, the nutrient may include at least one nutrient active ingredient, compound, material, and / or materials that may be utilized by the plant during growth thereof. Non limiting examples of the nutrient include micronutrients and / or macronutrients. Additional examples of the nutrient include molybdenum, nickel, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, boron, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, cobalt, sodium, silicon, selenium, iodine, and / or vanadium.In an embodiment, the fertilizer includes salts and complexes of nutrients which can help in plant growth or soil conditioning. Additionally, fertilizer may involve organic compounds like humic acids, fulvic acids, compost materials, biological fertilizers such as mycorhhizae, algal or microbial extracts and so forth.The application rate of soil amendment is variable for the type of amendment used. A superabsorbent polymer may be applied anywhere from 10 g or above. Preferably, a superabsorbent polymer may be applied at atleast 100 g or above. In another preferred embodiment, the application rate of superabsorbent polymer is at least 300 g.The method as described herein results in increased water use efficiency by the said plant. A reduction of 25% in water used for irrigation is achieved by employing method of irrigation as described herein the specification. Said method also increases yield of the said plant.Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reducing the water consumption in irrigating a land, said method comprising1. selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus),2. selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus3. digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the identified another locus / loci,4. applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof.In an embodiment, the method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.In an embodiment, soil may be added along with soil amendment in said holes.In an embodiment, the water use efficiency or water consumption reduction is increased by upto 25%. A reduction of 25% in water used for irrigation is achieved by employing method of irrigation as described herein the specification. In an embodiment, the water use efficiency is increased by reducing irrigation water in a range of 3 to 20 m3 per plant per year.In an embodiment, the plants grown by using such irrigation method have increased yield. The yield of such plant is increased by about 50% to about 1000%. Preferably, the yield of the plant is increased by about 300% to about 600%.In one embodiment, said method also provides advantages in terms of increased size and nutritional value of plant or plant product including fruits, improved soil quality, moisture content,nutrient content, and improved root zone.In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of application of a soil amendment for irrigating a land or a plant, particularly a desert plant. Said method advantageously results in water saving, increased yield, increased size and nutritional value of plant or plant product including fruits, improved soil quality, moisture content, nutrient content, and / or improved root zone.In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method to reduce the cost of irrigation by saving water consumption by the plant.In another embodiment, present invention provides a method to increase the income of the planter by increasing the yield and size and nutritional value of plant or plant product including fruits.The invention will now be described in more details with reference to the following examples. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and following examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.EXAMPLESExample 1 - Effect of Starch - G - Poly on date palm fruitPart A – Plant set up and Methodology14 date palm trees, about 8 years old, were used to evaluate the effect of superabsorbent polymer on water use efficiency and yield of date palm. Date palm trees were planted in rows with a plant spacing of 8x8 meters. Female date palms of 1.5 m clear trunk height were chosen for the experiment. Each date palm received 4 holes in 4 different locations equally distributed around the tree using an augur. Each hole had a diameter of 20 cm. The distance from the trunk to each hole was 1.2 meters. Starch g-poly was applied in each hole in 2 layers - at 30 cm depth and 50 cm depth. Intermittent layers of soil were added in the hole between the two layers. It was applied according to a Randomised Complete Block Design with 02 replications and respecting the planting arrangement (systematic distribution in rows).  Part B - Application rates of Starch G-PolyFollowing rates of application of starch-g-poly (granules) and irrigation regimes were tested:At 100% Irrigation:1. Starch G-Poly 100 gms per date palm: Total 2 Date Palms2. Starch G-Poly 200 gms per date palm: Total 2 Date Palms3. Starch G-Poly 300 gms per date palm: Total 2 Date Palms4. Control (untreated date palm): Total 1 Date PalmAt 75% Irrigation:1. Starch G-Poly 100 gms per date palm: Total 2 Date Palms2. Starch G-Poly 200 gmsper date palm: Total 2 Date Palms3. Starch G-Poly 300 gms per date palm: Total 2 Date Palms.4. Control (untreated date palm): Total 1 Date Palm Part C - Fertilizer application25 kg per tree per year of organic compost was applied 6 months before application of starch g-poly and N,P,K fertilizer were applied 7 months before application of starch g-poly and 1 month before application of starch g-poly. Nitrogen was added later and potassium fertilizer after flowering and fructification stage as per standard agronomic practices.Part D - Irrigation methodologyIrrigation was carried out using the main supply irrigation system and new drip irrigation before starch g-poly application. Irrigation was applied using a drip system. A line source with 4 emitters was installed around each tree with one emitter for each hole. Freshwater with electrical conductivities of 0.2 dS / m-1 was used for irrigation. For the set of plants deemed to receive 100% irrigation dose of freshwater an average of 24.61 m3 of freshwater per tree was used to irrigate date palms for 164 days. For plants set to receive 75% dose of irrigation, 18.69 m3 of freshwater per tree was used to irrigate date palms for 164 days..Part E - Soil moisture analysisA real-time soil water content monitoring system (AgrIOT), including soil moisture Sensoterra sensors and smart application was used to determine root-zone soil moisture after Starch G-­Poly application relative to the control. Sensoterra soil moisture sensors were installed 20 cm inside the application area to monitor the temporal soil moisture. ETc is calculated to provide an average irrigation rate in liters of water / tree / day. The collected data from the site were used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration (ET) according to the Penman-Monteith Evapotranspiration FAO-56 Method. Then, the total water supplied was determined to obtain the water date palm requirement and an average irrigation rate in liters of water / tree / day. Salinity levels were maintained continuously throughout the cropping. Part F - Yield and Fruit Analysis:Yield of fruit was calculated after harvest in terms of kg per tree.Fruit analysis was carried out to analyze fruit weight, length and width, and fruit sugar content (BRIX value). The digital Vernier caliper measured the collected fruit length and width. 50 fruits weight was measured using an electronic balance.Each date palm fruit's sugar content was determined using a refractometer device (Mettler Toledo Refracto 30PX Portable Handheld Refractometer) 100 mg of date palm was added in a centrifuge tube and mixed with 1 ml of distilled water. Then the sample was placed in the refractometer device to obtain the sugar content value in Brix. Results – Yield and water consumptionThe significant positive effect on yield of fruit was higher under deficit irrigation (75% of the recommended irrigation), thus:1. The best treatment was 300 gm at 75% Irrigation with 44.16 kg fruit per palm.2. The second-best treatment was 200gm at 75% Irrigation with 38.52 kg fruit per palm. 3. The third best treatment was 300 gm at 100% Irrigation with 30.51 kg fruit per palm. 4. The control palms yielded:8.04kg fruit at 100% irrigation3.58 Kg fruit at 75% irrigationThus, the Starch G-Poly soil enhancement helps achieve a better yield relative to control with a water-saving of 25%. The 25% water saving is equivalent to saving 6 m3 water per tree and 936 m3 water per hectare (plantation 8*8) in 164 days. Additionally, decreasing the irrigation water quantity by 25% for the trees treated by Starch G-Poly compared to the control group did not show any signs of dryness or damage during the season.In addition, the application of 100g was enough to avoid the water deficit effect, meanwhile using 300g of the hydrogel is more beneficial for the date palm trees for better yield. Fruit yield increased by an average of 50%, especially for applying 300 g of the Starch G-Poly per tree.  Results – Fruit width and BRIX value300 g Starch G-Poly at 75% dose of irrigation provided fruits with highest width of more than 2 cm as compared to other treatments where the width of fruit was lesser than 2 cm. In other treatments with lesser dose of Starch G-Poly, the width of fruit was higher when irrigation level was 75% of standard dose. Furthermore, an improvement by 0.5 to 2 degrees in the percentage of the total sugar content was observed for all treatments of Starch G-Poly with 75% dose of irrigation. Results - Soil Nutrient AnalysisIt was observed that soil nutrient content was significantly higher, including nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Soil available nitrogen and potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) were significantly increased by most of the hydrogel treatments quantities relative to control. The observations are recorded in following table 1:Table 1. Effect of Starch G-Poly granules on soil mineralsIrrigation dose percentStarch G-Poly Quantity (g)ECe (dS / m)Cameq / lMgmeq / lHC03meq / lCl (meq / l)Na (meq / l)Available Kmg / kgAvailable Pmg / kgAvailable Nitrogen %Irr 1001001.724.021.482.175.9943.71.890.00072Irr 1002000.783.521.61.545.15.8740.73.090.00054Irr 1003000.54.621.941.95.75.0472.62.20.00084Irr 100Control0.943.641.321.745.34.5320.51.50.00016lrr_751001.75.082.22.565.34.18683.460.00024Irr 752002.055.282.462.629.55.3758.93.150.00057Irr 753000.675.682.92.186.44.467.43.180.00074Irr 75Control0.924.141.981.72.92.6925.82.550.00014 The method provided thus helped to improve moisture availability and reduced water loss through deep filtration, reduced nutrient loss in fruits and improved yield. 

Claims

1. A method of irrigating a land comprising,(a) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus);(b) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,(c) digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the another locus / loci, and(d) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; andwherein said method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.  2. The method of claim 1, wherein soil is added along with soil amendment in said holes.  3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method involves digging more than one hole around the plant locus on or within said another locus / loci.  4. The method of claim 3, wherein said method involves digging 2 to 8 holes around the plant locus on or within said another locus / loci.  5. The method of claim 1, wherein said holes are distributed at varied distance from the plant locus on or within the identified another locus / loci, wherein said distance varies from 0.1 m to 10 m from the plant locus.  6. The method of claim 1, wherein said holes have a diameter ranging from 0.05m to 1m.  7. The method of claim 1, wherein said holes have a depth of 0.1m to 1m. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the soil amendment is applied in the holes up to the brim filling in the form of layers or a mixture, preferably layers.  9. The method of claim 8, wherein soil amendment comprises at least one superabsorbent polymer.  10. The method of claim 11, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is applied at a rate of 10 g or more.  11. The method of claim 1, wherein said plant is a desert plant.  12. The method of claim 11, wherein said desert plant is a date palm.  13. The method of claim 1, wherein said method results in water saving, increased yield, increased size and nutritional value of plant or plant product including fruits, improved soil quality, moisture content, nutrient content, and / or improved root zone.  14. A method of reducing the water consumption in irrigating a land, said method comprising(a) selecting a locus where a plant is planted or to be planted (plant locus),(e) selecting another locus / loci around said plant locus,(f) digging a plurality of holes distributed from the plant locus on or within the identified another locus / loci, and(g) applying a soil amendment in said holes, wherein the soil amendment comprises a superabsorbent polymer, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or combinations thereof; and wherein said method comprises applying water to the said land before, during or subsequent to the application of the soil amendment.  15. The method of claim 14, said method reduces the cost of irrigation by saving water consumption by the plant and / or increases the income of the planter by increasing the yield and size and nutritional value of plant or plant product including fruits.