The Ministry of National Infrastructures has instituted rationing and limits on water use in public parks, municipalities and farms. In addition to a severe lack of rain, Israel’s water is simply being wasted through surface evaporation from plants. For example, a large tree loses up to 400 liters of water an hour in the summer months, simply from natural evaporation. This water must be replenished by means of irrigation, natural or otherwise.
However, Da-Kedem, an Israeli company based in Moshav Gan Chaim near Kfar Sava, has developed a way to make plants themselves more efficient consumers. The innovative product, named Magen [Shield] 2001, is a transparent chemical spray, which, when applied to plant leaves, cuts water loss by 35%. While not interfering with the regular exchange of gases in plant photosynthesis, the spray significantly reduces the amount of water lost to natural evaporation. Uzi Kedem, CEO of Da-Kedem, says that Magen 2001 was tested in various experiments carried out in public parks, orchards and fields, and has been endorsed by the Plant Preservation Services of the Agriculture Ministry. It is currently being marketed to park and garden authorities, municipalities and the agricultural sector.
However, Da-Kedem, an Israeli company based in Moshav Gan Chaim near Kfar Sava, has developed a way to make plants themselves more efficient consumers. The innovative product, named Magen [Shield] 2001, is a transparent chemical spray, which, when applied to plant leaves, cuts water loss by 35%. While not interfering with the regular exchange of gases in plant photosynthesis, the spray significantly reduces the amount of water lost to natural evaporation. Uzi Kedem, CEO of Da-Kedem, says that Magen 2001 was tested in various experiments carried out in public parks, orchards and fields, and has been endorsed by the Plant Preservation Services of the Agriculture Ministry. It is currently being marketed to park and garden authorities, municipalities and the agricultural sector.