Wicking_bed
Wicking bed
Agricultural irrigation system
A wicking bed is an agricultural irrigation system used in arid countries where water is scarce, devised by Australian inventor Colin Austin.[1] It can be used both in (arid) fields as in containers.[2] Besides use in fields/containers outdoors, it can also be used indoors (i.e. greenhouse).
The system is designed to increase food production while using approximately 50% less water than traditional irrigation by utilizing underground water reservoirs filled with decomposing organic matter and the process of evaporation.[1]
Despite being an irrigation system (which can even be fitted with automated refill capability via rainwater tank and float-valve), it remains relatively low-tech.[3]
There are several commercially available wicking bed products, including recycled plastic wicking "cells" that are reported to reduce water use by up to 80% when compared to above ground irrigation