Fluid and nutrient delivery system and associated methods

A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to a plant comprising:

• positioning a delivery portion of microporous hydrophobic tubing comprising a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant, the tubing having a wall encompassing a lumen, the tubing further having a porosity at least at the delivery portion adapted for permitting a flow of an aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate;
• regulating a pressure of the aqueous solution upstream of an inlet of the tubing;
• introducing the regulated-pressure aqueous solution into the tubing inlet;
• and
• channeling the aqueous solution from the tubing inlet to the delivery portion.

A method for establishing a water- and nutrient-delivery system for a plant comprising the steps of:

• joining lateral ends of a hydrophilic sheet comprising a hydrophilic polymer to form a tube;
• positioning a delivery portion of the tubing in an artificial plant growth medium;
• planting a plant in the growth medium, a root system of the plant adjacent the tubing delivery portion;
• positioning an inlet of the tubing at a proximal end thereof in fluid communication with a source of an aqueous solution;
• and
• regulating a pressure of the aqueous solution upstream of the tubing inlet.

A method for establishing a water- and nutrient-delivery system for a plant comprising:

• introducing a hydrophilic polymer to a microporous hydrophobic sheet;
• joining lateral ends of the sheet to form a tube;
• positioning a delivery portion of the tubing in an artificial plant growth medium;
• planting a plant in the growth medium, a root system of the plant adjacent the tubing delivery portion;
• positioning an inlet of the tubing in fluid communication with a source of an aqueous solution;
• and
• regulating a pressure of the aqueous solution upstream of the tubing inlet.

A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to a plant comprising:

• positioning a delivery portion of microporous hydrophobic tubing comprising a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant, the tubing having a wall encompassing a lumen, the tubing further having a porosity at least at the delivery portion adapted for permitting a flow of an aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate;
• regulating a pressure of the aqueous solution upstream of the tubing inlet;
• introducing the pressure-regulated aqueous solution into an inlet of the tubing;
• and
• channeling the aqueous solution from the tubing inlet to the delivery portion.

A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to a plant comprising:

• positioning a delivery portion of microporous hydrophilic tubing comprising a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant, the tubing having a wall encompassing a lumen, the tubing further having a porosity at least at the delivery portion adapted for permitting a flow of an aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate;
• regulating a pressure of the aqueous solution upstream of an inlet of the tubing;
• introducing the pressure-regulated aqueous solution into the tubing inlet;
• and
• channeling the aqueous solution from the tubing inlet to the delivery portion.