WO2017134538A1

WO2017134538A1 - Irrigation arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2017134538A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/050254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis LOUBSER
Original assignee: Louirrigate Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-01
Filing date: 2017-01-18
Publication date: 2017-08-10
Also published as: AU2017215417A1; CL2018002051A1

Abstract

The invention includes an irrigation arrangement for localized irrigation of a plant, the arrangement being configured to surround the base region of a plant having a stem or trunk when in use, the arrangement comprising: (a) a housing comprising a top, an opposed base and connecting sides, the top defining a top opening and the base defining a base opening for passage of a stem or trunk of a plant through the housing, the housing comprising a longitudinal side opening extending from the top of the housing to the base of the housing; and (b) an irrigation means attached to an interior surface of the housing and connectable in fluid communication with an irrigation pipe as well as a method of irrigation of plants with the arrangement of the invention.

Description

IRRIGATION ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to irrigation arrangements, systems and methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Irrigation is defined as the artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

In sprinkler or overhead irrigation, water is piped to one or more central locations within the field and distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or guns. A system utilizing sprinklers, sprays, or guns mounted overhead on permanently installed risers is often referred to as a solid-set irrigation system. Higher pressure sprinklers that rotate are called rotors and are driven by a ball drive, gear drive, or impact mechanism. Rotors can be designed to rotate in a full or partial circle.

There are now more than seven billion people on the planet, their consumption of water- thirsty meat and vegetables is rising, and there is increasing competition for water from industry, urbanisation and biofuel crops. To avoid a global water crisis, farmers strive to increase productivity to meet growing demands for food, while industry and cities find ways to use water more efficiently. Successful agriculture is dependent upon farmers having sufficient access to water. However, water scarcity is already a critical constraint to farming in many parts of the world. Physical water scarcity is where there is not enough water to meet all demands, including that needed for ecosystems to function effectively. Arid regions frequently suffer from physical water scarcity. It also occurs where water seems abundant but where resources are over-committed. This can happen where there is overdevelopment of hydraulic infrastructure, usually for irrigation. Symptoms of physical water scarcity include environmental degradation and declining groundwater. Economic scarcity, meanwhile, is caused by a lack of investment in water or insufficient human capacity to satisfy the demand for water. Symptoms of economic water scarcity include a lack of infrastructure, with people often having to fetch water from rivers for domestic and agricultural uses. Some 2.8 billion people currently live in water-scarce areas.

The ability and need to reduce water usage and simultaneously enhance plant growth and root system development, has become increasingly important in modern agriculture, in particular in countries where there is a limited availability of water. More particularly, cultivars of trees such as citrus, kernel and stone fruit, which are very important agricultural products both in South Africa and internationally, would benefit from methods and systems to reduce water usage and enhance growth of these trees.

Tap roots of plants, and in particular, trees, provide a better platform for the growth of fine roots, compared to lateral roots. Well developed fine roots on the tap root allow for better absorption of water and fertiliser in the soil. If a particular plant or tree does not recieve enough water, especially in drier conditions, a shallower root system develops to make up for this and to adequately absorb the available water before it evaporates. It is difficult to get deep tap roots because of this lack of water. It is also challenging to strike a balance between irrigating enough, providing for the needs of the tree, and limiting irrigation in order to reduce water usage and reduce costs. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that water use is being monitored and controlled more strictly, there are more droughts, and hotter conditions are being experienced, as well as due to the continued rise in the cost of water and electricity.

A further problem encountered in this industry, is root and trunk infections of trees, commonly caused by the soil fungi, Phytophthora. Young and mature trees may be affected and treatment and prevention methods include the use of fungicides and irrigation management. Fungicides are an added expense, and irrigation management involves increased labour and/or more expensive irrigation equipment. Poor drainage in soils is a large contributor to these infections. Another contributor is that the amount of water that is applied to an area must not be greater than the amount of water that evaporates from or drains through the soil. Therefore, to solve this issue, water is typically applied for a shorter period of time, so as to reduce the saturation of water in the soil and also to allow a sufficient amount of time for drainage to take place, before the next irrigation cycle starts. This, however, may lead to ineffective irrigation, insufficient for optimal growth.

The operation of existing irrigation arrangements and systems generally results in the water being dispersed over a large area around a plant or tree. Sometimes such existing arrangements and systems result in water dispersal to areas relatively far away from the base of the plant or tree, for example due to wind disruption of water dispersal, or due to inefficient management of spray pressure and spray nozzle direction, resulting in water wastage.

Longer periods of irrigation are required to reach adequate depths in the soil for effective absorption by the roots. This means that more water and more electricity are required to be used, and ultimately results in higher expenses for a farmer.

Further disadvantages that may be encountered with presently used irrigation systems and arrangements include poor root development in a variety of soil types, inefficient soil moisture control, and potential damage caused to young plants or trees due to trampling by humans or animals. Furthermore, the accidental spraying of weed killers onto the base of the plant or tree may be detrimental to the plant or tree. Trees in particular may become vulnerable to various pests due to inefficient water supply to the tree, such as eelworm, and the like.

All of these disadvantages may ultimately have a negative impact on food security, which is vital in today's society.

There is a need for an improved method and system of irrigation to be developed that is able to overcome the drawbacks of existing irrigation arrangements, systems and methods of irrigating, allowing for more effective irrigation of plants and trees. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an irrigation arrangement for localized irrigation of a plant, the arrangement being configured to surround the base region of a plant having a stem or trunk when in use, the arrangement comprising:

(a) a housing comprising a top, an opposed base and connecting sides, the top defining a top opening and the base defining a base opening for passage of a stem or trunk of a plant through the housing, the housing comprising a longitudinal side opening extending from the top of the housing to the base of the housing; and

(b) an irrigation means attached to an interior surface of the housing and connectable in fluid communication with an irrigation pipe.

The irrigation means may be releasably attached or may be integrally formed with the housing.

The irrigation means may be a sprinkler or drip irrigation means. Preferably, the irrigation means is a sprinkler.

The housing may have the shape of a cone and/or drum and/or an inverted pot and/or trapezium and/or square when closed. In particular, the housing may comprise a fastening means for closing the longitudinal side opening around the stem or trunk of the plant.

Typically, the top opening of the housing has a diameter of from between about 150mm to about 270mm. For example, the top opening of the housing may have a diameter of 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm, 200mm, 210mm, 220mm, 230mm, 240mm, 250mm, 260mm or 270mm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the top opening of the housing comprises a groove for insertion of two removably insertable half-discs placed adjacent each other, thereby to form a complete disc defining a particular diameter. Multiple complete discs, each made up of two half-discs, may define openings with different diameters for use with plants having varying stem or trunk diameters. For example, the complete discs when formed may define openings with diameters of between about 150mm to about 270mm, for example, about 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm, 200mm, 210mm, 220mm, 230mm, 240mm, 250mm, 260mm or 270mm respectively. In an alternative, preferred, embodiment of the invention, the top of the housing defines a top opening and comprises series of radial perforations from the top opening, each perforation defining a particular diameter for the top opening. The diameter of the top opening may be from about 150mm to about 170mm. The diameters defined by the radial perforations may be from about 160mm to about 270mm, for example, about 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm, 200mm, 210mm, 220mm, 230mm, 240mm, 250mm, 260mm or 270mm respectively. The top opening may be enlarged by excising one or more of the series of radial perforations, thereby to increase the diameter of the top opening of the housing.

The top opening may be substantially circular, or hexagonal in shape, preferably hexagonal in shape, thereby to mitigate possible ringbarking of the stem or trunk of the plant. It is to be appreciated that as the diameter of the stem or trunk of the plant increases with growth of the plant, the top opening with a smaller diameter may be increased in diameter, either by replacing the discs with those of a larger opening diameter, or by excising perforations to define a larger opening diameter, thereby to allow for the growth of the plant.

Typically, the base of the housing when closed has an area of between about 0.25 m² to about 0.35 m², preferably 0.3 m². However, it is to be appreciated that the area of the base may be increased or decreased by varying the diameter of the base or the length of the sides of the base of the housing to a desired area. For example, the area of the base may be altered by securing the fastening means of the longitudinal side opening of the housing such that the longitudinal sides of the opening overlap rather than about each other when closed.

The housing may be made from a semi-rigid plastic material and is typically 1000 to 1200 microns in thickness. Preferably, the plastic is a UV-protective Polypropolene or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or HDPE regrind plastic which has been recycled and put through a regrind process. The plastic may be a dark shade such as black, dark brown, dark green or dark blue, but can also be white or grey in colour.

The longitudinal sides of the longitudinal side opening of the housing may be displaceable in opposite relation to each other such that the side opening is widened to allow the arrangement to be placed in position to surround the base of the stem or trunk of the plant or remove the arrangement from the plant, wherein damage to the plant is limited.

The base of the housing may define one or more apertures to allow an irrigation pipe to pass therethrough when in use. For example, the base of the housing may define one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight apertures. Preferably at least some of the base apertures are disposed opposite each other.

At least some of the base apertures may further be adapted to be independently opened or closed by a user, such that when at least some of the base apertures are open, air ventilation through the housing is increased relative to when such base apertures are closed.

The sides or top of the housing may define an additional one or more apertures for ventilation of air through the housing. For example, the sides of the housing may define one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight apertures. Preferably at least some of the side apertures are disposed opposite each other. Such additional side apertures may be adapted to be independently opened or closed by a user, such that when open, air ventilation through the housing is increased relative to when such side apertures are closed.

The sprinkler may comprise a sprinkler head, a sprinkler stem and a connecting portion. The connecting portion may be substantially hook-shaped, with the sprinkler head extending longitudinally in the direction of the sprinkler stem from the curve of the hook.

The sprinkler may moveably positionable by a user into a first position whereby the hook- shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler is directed toward the base region of the plant stem or trunk in use, or into a second position, such that the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler is directed away from the base region of the plant stem or trunk in use.

The arrangment may be for use as a micro irrigation system, a drip system, or both combined.

The base of the housing may extend outwardly, with the outwardly exending portion being either flat or partly upwardly curved, thereby to allow soil or a weighting means to be placed thereupon when in use for stability of the arrangement.

Alternatively or in addition, the arrangment may include an elongate stablising member extending vertically from the base of the housing for penetration of the soil when in use for stability of the arrangement.

Alternatively or in addition, the arrangment may include a stabilising member configured to receive an attachment means for attachment of the stabiling member to a portion of the plant when in use, whereby either the arrangment, or the plant, or both are stablised. The attachment means may be a rope, a tape, a tie, a band or the like.

At least two sides of the housing may each comprise at least one inverted rib relative to the interior surface of the housing, whereby the inverted rib(s) promote the flow of water from the sprinkler means down the sides of the housing when in use. It is to be appreciated that such inverted rib(s) may effectively act as dripping aids.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of irrigating one or more plants with the irrigation arrangement according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an irrigation pipe to the irrigation means;

(b) displacing the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal side opening of the housing in opposite relation to each other such that the longitudinal side opening is opened to receive a base region of a plant stem or trunk;

(c) situating the longitudinal sides in a position to surround the base region of a plant stem or trunk and to form an interior portion of the irrigation arrangement;

(d) securing the fastening means of the longitudinal side opening such that the plant stem or trunk is enclosed interiorly within the irrigation means and passes through the top opening of the housing of the arrangement;

(e) irrigating the plant.

The method may comprise the use of a sprinker having a sprinkler stem, a sprinkler head and a substantially hook-shaped connecting portion as the irrigation means.

The step of irrigating the plant may comprise a further step of either (i) directing the hook- shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler toward the base region of the plant stem or trunk, such that the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler deflects the flow of water during irrigation away from the plant stem or trunk; or (ii) directing the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler away from the base region of the plant stem or trunk and adjacent the interior surface of the irrigation arrangement housing, such that the sprinkler directs the flow of water throughout the interior portion of the irrigation arrangement during irrigation without impediment.

The irrigation arrangement may be used in agriculture, commercial nursery or in residential planting. For example, the irrigation arrangement may be used in any one or more of the following industries:

(a) citrus industry;

(b) apple industry;

(c) pear industry;

(d) stone-fruit industry;

(e) olive industry;

(f) nursery industry;

(g) residential industry (including gardens);

(h) vines (wine grapes/table grapes);

(i) avocado industry; and/or

(j) berry industry.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of promoting increased depth of water penetration relative to time during irrigation when compared with micro irrigation or drip irrigation with the use of the irrigation arrangement of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of promoting fine lateral root hair growth from the tap root of a plant at an increased depth in the soil through irrigation, thereby increasing water and fertilizer absorbtion by the roots when compared with micro irrigation or drip irrigation with the use of the irrigation arrangement of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing the incidence of fungal disease in a plant by minimising soil water saturation with the use of the irrigation arrangement of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention shall be described by way of reference to the following drawings which shall not be considered in any way as limiting the scope of the invention:

Figure 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the irrigation arrangement of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the irrigation arrangement of the invention; Figure 3 shows a side view of one embodiment of the irrigation arrangement of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the irrigation arrangement of the invention showing a sprinkler means;

Figure 5 shows various views (A - E) of one embodiment of a sprinkler means;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view through the irrigation arrangement of one embodiment of the invention, showing a sprinkler means; and

Figure 7 shows the results of an irrigation study to demonstrate the efficacy of water penetration into the soil, measured by soil water saturation in mm versus days on which irrigation occured. A and B provide a summary of the results over soil depths of 100mm to 600mm comparing the irrigation arrangement of the invention with a standard micro sprinkler respectively; B and C show the soil water saturation at a soil depth of 100 mm; E and F show the soil water saturation at a soil depth of 200 mm; G and H show the soil water saturation at a soil depth of 400 mm; and I and J show the soil water saturation at a soil depth of 600 mm all comparing the irrigation arrangement of the invention with a standard micro sprinkler respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an irrigation arrangement for localized irrigation of a plant, the arrangement being configured to surround the base region of a plant having a stem or trunk when in use, wherein the arrangement comprises (i) a housing with a top, an opposed base and connecting sides, and wherein the top defines a top opening and the base defines a base opening for passage of a stem or trunk of a plant through the housing, and wherein the housing comprises a longitudinal side opening extending from the top of the housing to the base of the housing; and the irrigation arrangement further comprises (ii) an irrigation means attached to an interior surface of the housing and connectable in fluid communication with an irrigation pipe.

A description of a preferred embodiment with respect to the drawings follows. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment/s disclosed, but is capable of various rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth.

An irrigation arrangement 10 for localized irrigation of a plant, the arrangement 10 being configured when in use to surround the base region of a plant (not shown) having a stem or trunk, the arrangement 10 comprising: (i) a housing 12 comprising a top 14, an opposed base 16, and connecting sides 18, the top 14 defining a top opening 20 and the base 16 defining a base opening 22 for passage of a stem or trunk of a plant through the housing 12, the housing 12 further comprising a longitudinal side opening 24 extending from the top 14 of the housing 12 to the base 16 of the housing 12 and optionally having a fastening means for closing the longitudinal side opening 24 around the stem or trunk of the plant, the fastening means including a plurality of apertures 26 defined to receive cable ties (not shown); and the irrigation arrangement 10 further comprising (ii) an irrigation means 28 attached to an interior surface 30 of the housing 12 and connectable in fluid communication with an irrigation pipe (not shown).

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 and 6, the housing 12 is trapezium shaped.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 6, the base 16 of the housing 12 extends outwardly, with the outwardly exending portion 32 being partly upwardly curved, thereby to allow soil or a weighting means to be placed thereupon when in use for stability of the arrangement 10. At least two sides 18 of the housing 12 each comprise at least one inverted rib 34 relative to the interior surface 30 of the housing, whereby the inverted ribs 34 promote the flow of water from the sprinkler means 28 down the interior surface 30 of the sides 18 of the housing 12 when in use.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the top opening 20 of the housing 12 comprises a groove 36. Two removably insertable half-discs 38A, 38B placed adjacent each other are insertable into the groove 36, thereby to form a complete disc defining a particular diameter. Typically, the top opening 20 of the housing 12 has a diameter of 156 mm when the half-discs 38A, 38B are in place. However, the diameter of the top opening 20 may be increased to 258 mm by removal of the half discs 38A, 38B thereby to fit a tree with a trunk having a greater diameter.

In an alternative, preferred, embodiment of the invention, the top 14 of the housing 12 defines a top opening 20 and comprises series of radial perforations 38C from the top opening 20, each perforation 38C defining a particular diameter for the top opening 20. The diameter of the top opening 20 is typically 156 mm when no radial perforations 38C have been excised but this can be increased to 258 mm by excising the radial perforations 38C, thereby to increase the diameter of the top opening 20 of the housing and fit a tree with a trunk having a greater diameter.

The top opening 20 may be substantially circular, or hexagonal in shape, preferably hexagonal in shape, thereby to mitigate possible ringbarking of the stem or trunk of the plant.

Typically, the base 16 of the housing 12 when closed has an area of 0.3 m². The housing 12 is made from a semi-rigid plastic material and is typically 1000 to 1200 microns in thickness. Generally, the plastic is a UV-protective Polypropolene or HDPE plastic or HDPE regrind recycled plastic. Typically the plastic is a dark shade such as black, dark brown, dark green or dark blue, but can also be white or grey in colour.

For installation of the irrigation arrangement 10 around the base of a tree trunk, the longitudinal sides 38 of the longitudinal side opening 24 of the housing 12 are displaceable in opposite relation to each other such that the side opening 24 is widened to allow the arrangement 10 to be placed in position to surround the base of the stem or trunk of the plant or to remove the arrangement 10 from the plant, such that there is no damage to the plant.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 6, the base 16 of the housing 12 defines four apertures 42A. An irrigation pipe (not shown) passes through at least one of the apertures to connect with the irrigation means 28 when in use. Such apertures 42A may optionally be adapted to be positioned by a user in either an open or closed position, where the open position provides for air ventilation through the housing 12, and the closed position reduces air ventilation through the housing 12 relative to the open position (not shown). Preferably at least two of the base apertures 42A are disposed opposite each other. The sides 18A, side corners 18B, or top 14 of the housing 12 may optionally define additional apertures 42B for ventilation of air through the housing 12. Similarly, such apertures, if present, may optionally be adapted to be positioned by a user in either an open or closed position, wherein when open, air ventilation through the housing 12 is increased relative to when such side apertures are closed.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the irrigation means 28 is a sprinkler which is releasably attached to the housing 12. The sprinkler comprises a sprinkler stem 48, a spinkler head 44 and a connecting portion 46 which is substantially hook-shaped. Figures 5A to 5E show the sprinkler 28. A first end portion 50 of the sprinkler stem 48 is attachable to a connector 52 which is in the form of a hollow cylindrical sleeve injector integrally attached and adjacent to the interior surface 30 of the housing 12.

The first end portion 50 of the sprinkler stem is in the form of a split pin 56, comprising two elongate pin members, each terminating in a lip 58A and B. In order to attach the sprinkler stem 48 to the connector 52, a user will squeeze the pin members of the split pin 56 together at the base 60, such that the lips 58 A and B are inserted and pass through a first opening of the hollow cylindrical sleeve injector (not shown). The user then pushes the split pin longitudinally through the hollow cylindrical sleeve injector until the lips 58A and B of the split pin 56 exit a second opening of the hollow cylindrical sleeve injector. Upon exit through the second opening of the sleeve injector, the pin members are released allowing lips 58A and B to extend past and abut the perimeter of the second opening of the sleeve injector, thereby to secure the split pin 56 in the sleeve injector. To eject the split pin 56, the base 60 of the split pin 56 is squeezed together by the user, thereby directing the two pin members towards each other and bringing the lips 58A and B of the pins together such that they no longer extend beyond the perimeter of the second opening of the hollow cylindrical sleeve injector. The first end portion 50 can then be removed by pulling it longitudinally through the hollow cylindrical sleeve injector and out of the first opening.

A flexible irrigation pipe (not shown) is connectable to an opposed hollow second end portion 54 of the sprinkler 28, such that the irrigation pipe is in fluid communication with the opposed hollow second end portion 54 of the sprinkler 28. In particular, such connecting is performed by way of a user squeezing and inserting an end of the irrigation pipe into the opening of the opposed hollow second end 54 of the sprinkler 28 by hand and then releasing the flexible irrigation pipe, such that the irrigation pipe expands to its usual shape and fits snugly into the inner diameter of the opposed hollow second end portion 54.

The sprinkler 28 is movably positionable such that the connecting hook portion 46 may be directed towards the stem or trunk of the plant by a user when in use, in which case the hook portion deflects the water from the sprinkler head 44 such that the stem or trunk of the plant does not get sprayed with water or receives minimal spray. Alternatively, the connecting hook portion 46 may be positioned away from the stem or trunk of the plant and directed towards and adjacent the interior surface of the housing 30 when in use, in which case the sprinkler head 44 will spray the full area within the interior of the housing 12. A further aspect of the invention provides for a method of promoting increased depth of water penetration relative to time with the use of the irrigation arrangement of the invention when compared to the use of standard micro irrigation or drip irrigation systems.

The irrigation arrangement 10 is adapted to be used in the agricultural sector, or in commercial nurseries or in residential planting.

For example, the irrigation arrangement 10 may be used in any one or more of the following industries:

(a) citrus industry;

(b) apple industry;

(c) pear industry;

(d) stone-fruit industry;

(e) olive industry;

(f) nursery industry;

(g) residential industry (including gardens);

(h) vines (wine grapes/table grapes);

(i) avocado industry; and/or

(j) berry industry.

Example

The invention will be further described with reference to the following example, which is not to be considered in any way as limiting the scope of the invention.

An irrigation study performed by the applicant comparing the use of a standard micro sprinker system that provides water over an effective area of 7.06 m² with the irrigation arrangement of the invention 10 which provides water over an effective area of only 0.3 m² yielded the results as set out and illustrated in the graphs provided in Figures 7 A to J.

In each study, irrigation was performed once every three days for 20 mins at a time using either the irrigation arrangement 10 or a standard micro irrigation system, and depth of penetration of water was measured.

A total of 10 litres of water were used for the irrigation period of 20 min with the irrigation arrangement 10, over an area of 0.3 m². Thus, each irrigation area of 0.3 m² effectively received 10 litres of water. On the other hand, when using a standard micro sprinkler, 10 litres of water were used over an area of 7.06 m². Thus, effectively, an irrigation area of 0.3 m² would receive only 0.42 litres of water.

As a result of the concentration of water into the soil as facilitated by the irrigation arrangement 10, the applicant has demonstrated that the rate of depth of penetration of the water into the soil is far superior to that when using a micro sprinkler. This is illustrated in Figures 7 A to J as clear peaks of water saturation in the soil relative to the baseline water content at different depths that are visible in the graphs where irrigation was performed using the irrigation arrangement 10 compared with the use of a standard micro irrigation system where peaks are diminished or absent.

The average increase in water saturation determined as mm of water compared with the baseline water content in the soil when using the irrigation arrangement 10 is 25mm as illustrated in Figure 7 A. The existing micro irrigation system needs to irrigate for 5.3 hours to reach a depth of about 400mm compared to only 20 minutes when using the irrigation arrangement 10.

Referring to Figure 7 A, clear peaks of water saturation are visible relative to the baseline water content when irrigating using the irrigation arrangement 10 for 20 min. In Figure 7 B, irrigation using an existing micro irrigation system, peaks are visibly sloped. A depth of 100mm can be reached within 20 min when the irrigation arrangement 10 is used.

In Figure 7 C, at a depth of 100mm, clear spiked peaks of water saturation relative to the baseline water content are visible when irrigation took place using the irrigation arrangement 10. Figure 7 D shows that when irrigation is performed using the standard micro sprinkler system, lower, sloped peaks are visible.

Figure 7 E demonstrates that a depth of 200mm is reached within 20 min when the irrigation arrangement 10 is used. Clear spiked peaks of water saturation relative to the baseline water content are visible when irrigation took place using the irrigation arrangement 10. However, when irrigating using the standard micro sprinker system, very few to no peaks are visible, as shown in Figure 7 F.

Referring to Figure 7 G, a depth of 400mm is reached within 20 min when the irrigation arrangement 10 is used. Spiked peaks of water saturation relative to the baseline water content are still visible when irrigation took place using the irrigation arrangement 10. However in Figure 7 H, showing irrigation using the standard micro sprinkler system, there are no peaks are visible.

Finally, as shown in Figure 7 I, peaks of increased water saturation compared to the baseline water content are clearly still visible at a depth of 600mm and deeper when using the irrigation arrangement 10. However Figure 7 J shows that where irrigation using the standard micro sprinkler is used, water penetration to the 600mm depth is not reached.

Claims

1 . An irrigation arrangement for localized irrigation of a plant, the arrangement being configured to surround the base region of a plant having a stem or trunk when in use, the arrangement comprising:

2. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 1 , whether the irrigation means is either releasably attached or is integrally formed with the housing.

3. The irrigation arrangement according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the irrigation means is a sprinkler or drip irrigation means.

4. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irrigation means is a sprinkler.

5. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing has the shape of any one of the following: a cone, a drum, an inverted pot, a trapezium or a square when closed.

6. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing comprises a fastening means for closing the longitudinal side opening around the stem or trunk of the plant.

7. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing has a diameter of from between about 150mm to about 270mm.

8. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the top opening of the housing comprises a groove for insertion of two removably insertable half-discs placed adjacent each other, thereby to form a complete disc defining a particular diameter.

9. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the two half-discs are sized to define an opening with a particular diameter for use with plants having a corresponding stem or trunk diameter.

10. The irrigation arrangement according to either claim 8 or 9, wherein the particular diameter defined is from between about 150mm to about 270mm.

1 1 . The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the top of the housing defines a top opening and comprises series of excisable radial perforations radiating from the top opening, each perforation defining an diameter for the top opening increasing from about 150 mm to about 270 mm when excised.

12. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the base of the housing when closed has an area of between about 0.25 m² to about 0.35 m², including about 0.3 m².

13. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing is made from a semi-rigid plastic material.

14. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing is between about 1000 to 1200 microns in thickness.

15. The irrigation arrangement according to either claim 13 or 14, wherein the plastic is a UV-protective Polypropylene or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or HDPE regrind plastic which has been recycled and put through a regrind process.

16. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the plastic is a dark shade including black, dark brown, dark green or dark blue in colour.

17. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 3 to 15, wherein the plastic is white or grey in colour.

18. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal side opening of the housing are displaceable in opposite relation to each other such that the side opening is widened to allow the arrangement to be placed in position to surround the base of the stem or trunk of the plant or remove the arrangement from the plant.

19. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the base of the housing defines one or more apertures to allow an irrigation pipe to pass therethrough when in use.

20. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the number of apertures are from about one to about eight apertures.

21 . The irrigation arrangement according to either claim 19 or 20, wherein at least some of the apertures are disposed opposite each other.

22. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 19 to 21 , wherein at least some of the base apertures are further adapted to be independently opened or closed by a user, such that when at least some of the base apertures are open, air ventilation through the housing is increased relative to when such base apertures are closed.

23. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the sides or top of the housing define an one or more apertures for ventilation of air through the housing.

24. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the sides of the housing define one to eight apertures.

25. The irrigation arrangement according to either claim 23 or 24, wherein at least some of the apertures are disposed opposite each other.

26. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein at least some of the side apertures are further adapted to be independently opened or closed by a user, such that when at least some of the side apertures are open, air ventilation through the housing is increased relative to when such side apertures are closed.

27. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the sprinkler comprises a sprinkler head, a sprinkler stem and a connecting portion.

28. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 27, wherein the connecting portion is substantially hook-shaped, with the sprinkler head extending longitudinally in the direction of the sprinkler stem from the curve of the hook.

29. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the sprinkler is moveably positionable by a user into a first position whereby the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler is directed toward a base region of the plant stem or trunk in use, or into a second position, such that the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler is directed away from a base region of the plant stem or trunk in use.

30. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 29 which is used as a micro irrigation system, a drip system, or both combined.

31 . The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the base of the housing extends outwardly, with the outwardly exending portion being either flat or partly upwardly curved, thereby to allow soil or a weighting means to be placed thereupon when in use for stability of the arrangement.

32. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 31 , wherein the arrangment includes an elongate stablising member extending vertically from the base of the housing for penetration of the soil when in use for stability of the arrangement.

33. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the arrangment includes includes a stabilising member configured to receive an attachment means for attachment of the stabiling member to a portion of the plant when in use, whereby either the arrangment, or the plant, or both are stablised.

34. The irrigation arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the attachment means is a rope, a tape, a tie, or a band.

35. The irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein at least two sides of the housing each comprises at least one inverted rib relative to the interior surface of the housing, whereby the inverted rib(s) promote the flow of water from the sprinkler means down the sides of the housing when in use.

36. A method of irrigating one or more plants with the irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 35, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an irrigation pipe to the irrigation means;

(b) displacing the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal side opening of the housing in opposite relation to each other such that the longitudinal side opening is opened to receive a base region of a plant stem or trunk; (c) situating the longitudinal sides in a position to surround the base region of a plant stem or trunk and to form an interior portion of the irrigation arrangement;

(d) securing the fastening means of the longitudinal side opening such that the plant stem or trunk is enclosed interiorly within the irrigation means and passes through the top opening of the housing of the arrangement; and

(e) irrigating the plant.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the irrigation means comprises a sprinker having a sprinkler stem, a sprinkler head and a substantially hook-shaped connecting portion.

38. The method according to either claim 36 or 37, wherein the step of irrigating the plant comprises a further step of either (i) directing the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler toward a base region of the plant stem or trunk, such that the hook- shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler deflects the flow of water during irrigation away from the plant stem or trunk; or (ii) directing the hook-shaped connecting portion of the sprinkler away from a base region of the plant stem or trunk and adjacent the interior surface of the irrigation arrangement housing, such that the sprinkler directs the flow of water throughout the interior portion of the irrigation arrangement during irrigation without impediment.

39. A method of promoting increased depth of water penetration relative to time during irrigation when compared with micro irrigation or drip irrigation with the use of the irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

40. A method of promoting fine lateral root hair growth from the tap root of a plant at an increased depth in the soil through irrigation, thereby increasing water and fertilizer absorbtion by the roots when compared with micro irrigation or drip irrigation with the use of the irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

41 . A method for reducing the incidence of fungal disease in a plant by minimising soil water saturation with the use of the irrigation arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 35.