Farmers in developing countries could benefit from a new irrigation system developed by researchers at the University of Sydney. The Rosdi irrigation system lets plants draw water through salt filters in irrigation pipes at their roots, using the tiny amounts of energy naturally created by evaporation at their leaves.
“A conventional membrane would use a big pump that would push the water across,” say the researchers. “In this application the evaporation of water through the plant leaf creates a suction,” he says.
“The plants draw from the irrigation just what they need and no more. It’s an ideal technology for small holder peasant farmers in developing countries.”
Read more at University of Sydney