In 2000, Australian scientists tricked grapevines into conserving water by drying half their roots. 26 years later, PRD remains a technique that can maintain yields while cutting irrigation by 50%

Australian scientists developed Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD), an irrigation approach designed to reduce water use while maintaining commercial crop production. Developed at the University of Adelaides Waite campus by a team led by Dr Peter Dry and Dr Brian Loveys of CSIRO Plant Industry, the method alternates watering between different parts of a plants root system.Drying one portion while keeping another watered encourages the plant to conserve water through changes in stomatal activity, while the wet roots support continued growth and production.

Raccontata daeconomictimes.indiatimes.com