Review and Case Studies on Biodrainage: An Alternative Drainage System to Manage Waterlogging and Salinity

Abstract

Waterlogging and its associated soil salinity are a major impediment to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Although conventional engineering drainage technologies such as subsurface or vertical drainage combat the problem, they are costly and generate huge quantities of effluent which is difficult to dispose of. Biodrainage, which removes excess soil water by deep‐rooted fast‐growing trees through evapotranspiration using bioenergy, is an appropriate alternative. Plant consumptive water use varies between 6500 and 28 000 m3 ha‐1 yr‐1 and an ideal tree plantation lowers groundwater tables by 1–2 m over a time period of 3–5 years. Trees such as Eucalyptus, Populus, Casuarina, Dalbergia, Syzigium, Acacia, Prosopis, Leucaena, etc. are found to be effective in lowering shallow groundwater tables and reversing salinity trends. Integration of trees such as Eucalyptus and Populus along with crops in a unified agroforestry system, on approach roads, field bunds or on dykes of ponds in an integrated farming system, is another viable proposition. Irrigation of highly transpiring trees has also been proposed for reuse of wastewater and conservation of nutrient energy into biomass, leading to carbon sequestration, environmental sanitation and eco‐restoration. For effective understanding and implementation, several case studies on the role of biodrainage for managing waterlogging and salinity are discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Soil and Crop Management Practices to Minimize the Impact of Waterlogging on Crop Productivity

“…Bio-drainage or bio-pumping is the VD of soil water using specific types of fast growing tree vegetation with high evapotranspiration demand and is considered an economically viable option in dealing with the drainage congestion and environment hazards (Kapoor, 2000; Heuperman and Kapoor, 2003; Dash et al, 2005; Sarkar et al, 2018; Singh and Lal, 2018). Bio-drainage vegetation has been demonstrated to lower the rising water table around the root zone of adjacent cultivated crops in waterlogged areas through drainage (Roy Chowdhury et al, 2011; Sarkar et al, 2018; Singh and Lal, 2018).…”

“…Lowering of the rising water table is apparent within 5–10 years of growing vegetation and trees (Silberstein et al, 1999; Singh and Lal, 2018). If trees tolerant to waterlogging are introduced into the prone areas, these can easily assist in controlling water stagnation and rising water table (Banik et al, 2018; Sarkar et al, 2018).…”

“…If trees tolerant to waterlogging are introduced into the prone areas, these can easily assist in controlling water stagnation and rising water table (Banik et al, 2018; Sarkar et al, 2018). The right choice of plant species with optimum plant population and suitable plant geometry will help to control the elevated groundwater table in waterlogged areas and thus maintain the desired soil moisture regime for timely cultivation (Sarkar et al, 2018; Singh and Lal, 2018).…”

“…Tree species with high transpiration rates are selected to mitigate waterlogging from canal seepage in irrigated areas. Water quality in supply canals is suitable and can be effectively intercepted and used by the trees planted along the canals (Dash et al, 2005; Singh and Lal, 2018). However, the efficiency of bio-drainage plantations needs to be verified in HRZs where permanent stagnant water is a real problem.…”

“…Lack of proper knowledge, plantation techniques, expertise, motivation as well as maintenance are issues that need to be addressed to derive the real benefit of this system. In addition, the land under bio-drainage cannot be utilized for growing other crops, as in the case of conventional drainage (Dash et al, 2005; Sarkar et al, 2018; Singh and Lal, 2018). Therefore, an economic analysis of the bio-drainage endeavor is required on a case by case basis.…”