Bio-drainage: to control water logging and salinity in irrigated lands
Date
2000-06
Authors
Kapoor, A. S., author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Irrigated agriculture faces the problem of water logging and salinisation. Presently practised drainage measures cause water pollution and environmental degradation. Bio-drainage, in which the property of transpiration of trees is used to strike a water balance and check the rise of ground water table above critical depth, can be an option to control water logging and salinisation of soils. In case irrigation water is of good quality, total minerals removed annually by crop and forest bio mass can match the total annual import of minerals with the irrigation water. A case study of Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP), Rajasthan, India is presented. Feasibility of bio-drainage and how water balance and salt balance can be achieved are described with the help of theoretical principles as well on the basis of research results and field experience. In case of the IGNP, forest plantations in no more than in about 10 percent area, can provide satisfactory insurance against water logging.
Description
Presented at the 2000 USCID international conference, Challenges facing irrigation and drainage in the new millennium on June 20-24 in Fort Collins, Colorado.