Water logging
Photo: STAR
Water logging is a great problem that occurs (as is common for salinisation) in poorly drained soils where water can't penetrate deeply and that are poorly drained topographically. The raised water table results in the soils becoming waterlogged. When soils are water logged, air spaces in the soil are filled with water, and plant roots essentially suffocate -- lacking oxygen. Water logging also damages soil structure. Worldwide, about 10% of all irrigated land suffers from water logging. As a result, productivity has fallen about 20% in this area of cropland. The ultimate results are soil pores have no oxygen, vegetation can turn yellow, growth is stunted and thin, trees and plants can die, bare patches of soil appear, plant species more tolerant of saturated conditions will take over. Prevention:- Management of drainage lines for efficient water flow. Management of surface water-flow to avoid surface ponding.
- Increase deep rooting vegetation for greater utilisation of water from the soil.
- Apply water when necessary--
- When plants have used all available water for growth.
- When the soil is dry to a depth of 15 cm.
- As required in the growing season. Not when plants are dormant.
- Apply only as much as the plant will use. Not when it's raining or just after rain.
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