Buried clay pot irrigation is recommended for dry orcharding in India and has proved to be very useful in tree establishment and revegetation. In Pakistan the survival of tree seedlings irrigated with buried clay pots was 96.5% compared to 62% for hand watering and the buried clay pot irrigated seedlings were 20% taller. Our trials of buried clay pot irrigation in the Colorado Desert near the Salton Sea suggest they have great potential for revegetation and orchards in the desert. After eight months all tree
8
seedlings on buried clay pots in one trial were alive and growing well, while all of the trees irrigated with the same amount of water using basin irrigation had died. Eight inch clay pots were used for this study in an area that receives less than 1.5 cm [3 in.] of rain a year. The pots were refilled every two to four weeks. After 8 months one of the plants was dug up to examine root distribution. Although several roots were wrapped around the pot two dominant tap roots went straight down to considerable depth. After the pots were removed survival has remained good, suggesting that buried clay pot irrigation develops a sufficient root system for long term survival of desert trees. The clay pot only needs to be filled regularly for the first year and can then be removed. For fruit trees a permanent installation is recommended.