Open Ditch Drainage Research Articles

Effects of Controlled Drainage on the Content Change and Migration of Moisture, Nutrients, and Salts in Soil and the Yield of Oilseed Sunflower in the Hetao Irrigation District

Controlled drainage (CD) is an important agricultural measure for maintaining soil moisture and nutrients, controlling groundwater level, and increasing crop yield. In arid regions, CD can be used to improve the water supply in agriculture and reduce environmental pollution. In this study, we investigated the effects of CD, including drainage depths of 40 cm (CWT1) and 70 cm (CWT2) during the plant growth stages, free drainage (FD), and open-ditch drainage (OD), on the migration of water, nutrients, and salts in the soil, the dynamics of the groundwater level, the loss of soil nitrogen, and the growth of oilseed sunflower plants. Compared with FD, CD increased the water and nutrient content in the soil, reduced nitrogen loss, and enhanced the ability of the soil to continuously supply nitrogen to the oilseed sunflower plants, which benefited plant growth at later growth stages and reduced environmental pollution. During the period between irrigation at the budding stage and the harvest stage, the average soil water content in the 0–20 cm soil layer in CWT1 increased by 3.67%, 4.78%, and 0.55%, respectively, compared with that in CWT2, FD, and OD. The soil mineral content in CWT1 was 25.17%, 35.05%, and 17.78% higher than that in CWT2, FD, and OD, respectively, indicating that higher soil salinity occurred at the later stage of plant growth in CWT1, which actually had little effect on the plants due to their enhanced salt tolerance and increased need for water and nutrients at that stage. In addition, CD delayed the decline in groundwater level, which allowed the plants to use groundwater at later growth stages, and as a result, the yield and water-use efficiency were improved. CWT1 significantly increased oilseed sunflower yield by 4.52–11.14% and increased water-use efficiency by 1.16–10.8%. Moreover, CWT1 also increased the survival rate of the oilseed sunflower plants by 2.62–2.92%, and the plants demonstrated good growth. Therefore, under CD conditions, plants used soil water and nitrogen more efficiently and, as a result, their productivity was increased, and the water quality was improved.

Examining sources and pathways of phosphorus transfer in a ditch-drained field.

Understanding the processes that mobilize and transport dissolved phosphorus (P) during storms is critical to managing P in flat landscapes with open ditch drainage and legacy soil P. In this study, we used routine baseflow monitoring and intensive storm sampling at a ditch-drained site on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore (July 2017-September 2018) to assess whether concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships and chemical and isotopic hydrograph separation could provide insight into the processes that mobilize and transport dissolved P in ditch drainage. Using a segmented regression model, we determined that long-term C-Q relationships for dissolved P differed above and below a discharge threshold of 6.4 L s-1 . Intensive storm sampling revealed that small storms (n=3) occurring at or below the discharge threshold generally exhibited complex hysteresis and dissolved P dilution patterns that were consistent with deeper(>122cm) groundwater inputs with low dissolved P concentrations (0.04mg L-1 ). In contrast, large storms occurring well above the discharge threshold (n=4) induced rising water tables and preferential flow pathways that most likely tapped dissolved P-enriched shallow(<20cm) soil waters (0.89mg L-1 ), producing consistent clockwise hysteresis and dissolved P flushing patterns. Notably, chemical and isotope hydrograph separation during two of the largest storms revealed significant event water fractions (59-68%) that strongly suggested a role for the rapid delivery of dissolved P via preferential flow pathways. Findings highlight the need to mitigate vertical P stratification as a means for reducing dissolved P flushing from ditch-drained landscapes with legacy P.

Study on the Farmland Improvement Effect of Drainage Measures under Film Mulch with Drip Irrigation in Saline–Alkali Land in Arid Areas

Water scarcity and imbalances in irrigation and drainage are the main factors leading to soil salinization in arid areas. There is a recognized need for effective drainage measures to prevent and improve saline−alkali land. The principal objective of this project was to investigate the effects of drainage measures on soil desalination and farmland drainage in the process of improving saline–alkali soils; these measures included subsurface pipe drainage (SPD) and open ditch drainage (ODD). The results of the tests, conducted over two years, revealed that the soil desalination rate in the SPD test area was between 25.8% and 35.2%, the cotton emergence rate was 36.7%, and a 3.8 t hm−2 seed cotton yield could be obtained. The soil electrolytic conductivity (EC) decreased step by step over time, and the average annual decrease reached 10 dS m−1. The degree of soil salinization was reduced from a moderately saline soil level (8−15 dS m−1) to a weakly saline soil level (4–8 dS m−1). Thus, the phased goal of improving saline–alkali land was achieved. The soil desalination rate in the ODD test area was only 1/10 of the SPD area; high soil EC (9−12 dS m−1) and groundwater level (2–3 m) were the most limiting factors affecting cotton growth in the ODD test area. The current results show that the critical depth of groundwater level affecting farmland secondary salinization is 4 m. In order to improve the salt discharge standard, SPD technology should be used on the basis of ODD. For salt that has accumulated in the soil for a long time, the technical mode of drip irrigation and leaching, followed by SPD drainage, in combination with the current irrigation system can achieve the goal of sustainable agriculture development.

Oxidation of iron sulfides in subsoils of cultivated boreal acid sulfate soil fields – based on soil redox potential and pH measurements

Acid sulfate soil leachates deteriorate the aquatic ecosystems of their recipient waters around the world. In Finland, AS soils are located mainly on the coast of the Baltic Sea, where rivers and estuaries suffer from acid leachates and waters do not meet with the criteria of good water quality set by the EU. Field drainage of cultivated AS soils is attributable to leaching of acidity, but regardless of various mitigation measures, the acidity of discharge water in these areas has not decreased significantly. In order to better understand the pathways involved in the formation of acidity, the redox status of 56 Finnish AS soil fields was examined using redox potential and pH data measured down to 2m. The findings indicated that the oxidation of soils has occurred at depths below the drainage pipes, with the median being at a depth of 1.6m. In fields cultivated for a long time, soil texture had a stronger effect on the depth of the redox interface than the drainage method; open ditch drainage and subsurface drainage; oxidation being faster in sandy and silty soils than in clayey soils. The isostatic land uplift also seems to affect the depth of the redox interface in the long run. Most of the studied fields had been cultivated for at least 30years prior to the study. However, the pH values of the soils were still very low, probably due to actual and retained acidity. The prevention of oxidation of sulfidic materials in subsoils is important, but measures for neutralizing the acidity are needed. Without them it seems that the leaching of acidity will continue and may decrease only slowly. However, severe droughts during summers and the reclamation of unripe AS soils for any purpose will increase the leaching of acidity.

Interspecific Differences of the Capacities on Excessive Soil Moisture Stress for Upland Crops in Converted Paddy Field

The interspecific estimation for tolerance capacities of upland crop species to excessive soil water stress in paddy field is significant in agricultural practices. Most of upland crops can be damaged by either excessive soil water or capillary rise of the water table during rainy season in paddy fields. The major objective of this study was to evaluate water stress of upland crops under different drainage classes in converted paddy field. This experiment was carried out in poorly drained soil (PDS) and imperfectly drained soil (IDS) of alluvial sloping area located at Toero-ri, Bubuk-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The soil was Gagog series, which was a member of the fine silty, mixed, nonacid, mesic family of Aeric Endoaquepts (Low Humic-Gley soils). Two drainage methods, namely under Open ditch drainage methods (ODM) and, Closed pipe drainage methods (PDM) were installed within 1-m position at the lower edge of the upper paddy fields. The results showed that sum of excess water days (SWD30), which was used to represent the moisture stress index, was 42 days (the lowest) in the PDM compared with 110 days in the ODM. Most of upland crops were more susceptible to excessive soil water during panicle initial stage on more PDS than on IDS. Yield of upland crops in the PDM was continuously increased by the rate of 15.1% on sorghum, 15.4% foxtail millet, 53.6% proso millet, 49.6% soybean and 47.9% adzuki bean as compared in the ODM. The capacity for tolerance by excessive soil water based on yield of each upland crop in the poorly drained sloping paddy fields was the order of sorghum, soybean, foxtail millet, proso millet and adzuki bean. Therefore, Sorghum is relatively tolerant to excessive soil water conditions and, may be grown successfully in converted paddy field.

논 재배 배수방법이 팥 에탄올 추출물의 항산화성분 및 항산화활성에 미치는 영향

배수가 매우불량 토양과 약간불량 토양에서 배수방법이 팥의 항산화성분 및 활성에 미치는 영향을 분석하여 팥의 재배방법과 성분 및 생리활성 연구에 기초자료로 활용하고자 본 연구를 수행한 결과 시험 토양의 수분함량은 중간부분(5~15 m)이 높은 함량을 보이는 것으로 나타났으며, 배수 매우불량 토양의 경우 암거배수 및 명거배수는 각각 <TEX>$18.52{\pm}4.58$</TEX> 및 <TEX>$19.01{\pm}4.25%$</TEX>, 배수 약간불량 토양은 각각 <TEX>$14.87{\pm}4.82$</TEX> 및 <TEX>$18.64{\pm}3.85%$</TEX>로 명거배수 처리 토양이 약간 높았다. 수량은 전체적으로 63.01~337.21 kg/10 a의 범위로 나타났으며, 배수 매우불량 토양의 암거배수 방법을 처리한 시료는 <TEX>$268.57{\pm}64.75kg/10a$</TEX>, 명거배수 방법을 처리한 시료는 <TEX>$72.39{\pm}10.65kg/10a$</TEX>으로 나타났다. 팥의 수분, 조단백질, 조지방 및 조회분 함량은 각각 10.10~11.60, 14.13~21.75, 0.02~0.73 및 2.81~3.45 g/100 g의 범위로 나타났으며, 인산, 칼륨 및 칼슘 함량은 각각 845.33~1,083.68, 1,300.20~1,782.68 및 195.97~341.04 mg/100 g의 범위로 나타나 토양조건, 배수방법 및 시료 채취 지점에 따라 변이를 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 배수방법에 따른 팥의 총 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드, 탄닌 함량은 각각 2.73~4.14 mg GAE/g, 1.07~1.43 mg CE/g 및 1.27~1.84 mg TAE/g로 나타났으며, DPPH 및 ABTS radical 소거활성은 각각 2.84~4.47 및 5.11~6.74 mg TE/g의 범위로 처리 간에 유의적인 차이를 보였다. 전체적으로 팥의 총 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드, 탄닌 함량과 radical 소거활성은 배수 매우불량 토양의 경우는 명거배수를 처리한 시험에서 높았고 배수 매우불량 토양에서는 암거배수를 처리하였을 때 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과 배수가 불량한 토양에서 팥을 재배할 경우 토양의 조건에 알맞은 배수방법을 선택해야 할 것이고 환경조건 등 보다 많은 변수에 대한 다각적인 분석이 필요할 것으로 생각된다. This study investigated the changes of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity of adzuki bean by drainage methods in poorly drained sloping paddy field. The soil moisture contents of under pipe and open ditch drainage on very poorly drained paddy soil were <TEX>$18.52{\pm}4.58$</TEX> and <TEX>$19.01{\pm}4.25%$</TEX>, and imperfectly drained paddy soil were <TEX>$14.87{\pm}4.82$</TEX> and <TEX>$18.64{\pm}3.85%$</TEX>, respectively. Moisture, protein, fat and ash contents of adzuki bean with drainage methods were 10.10~11.60, 14.13~21.75, 0.02~0.73 and 2.81~3.45 g/100 g, respectively. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents, and radical scavenging activity of adzuki bean showed significant differences by drainage methods. The total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin contents by drainage methods were 2.73~4.14 mg GAE/g, 1.07~1.43 mg CE/g, and 1.27~1.84 mg TAE/g, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 2.84~4.47 and 5.11~6.74 mg TE/g, respectively. The antioxidant compounds and radical scavenging activity of the adzuki bean by drainage methods were frequently affected soil water.

Effects of peatland drainage management on peak flows

Abstract. Open ditch drainage has historically been a common land management practice in upland blanket peats, particularly in the UK. However, peatland drainage is now generally considered to have adverse effects on the upland environment, including increased peak flows. As a result, drain blocking has become a common management strategy in the UK over recent years, although there is only anecdotal evidence to suggest that this might decrease peak flows. The change in the hydrological regime associated with the drainage of blanket peat and the subsequent blocking of drains is poorly understood, therefore a new physics-based model has been developed that allows the exploration of the associated hydrological processes. A series of simulations is used to explore the response of intact, drained and blocked drain sites at field scales. While drainage is generally found to increase peak flows, the effect of drain blocking appears to be dependent on local conditions, sometimes decreasing and sometimes increasing peak flows. Based on insights from these simulations we identify steep smooth drains as those that would experience the greatest reduction in field-scale peak flows if blocked and recommend that future targeted field studies should be focused on examining surface runoff characteristics.

A Comparison between Horizontal and Vertical Drainage Systems (Include Pipe Drainage, Open Ditch Drainage, and Pumped Wells) in Anisotropic Soils

Selecting a proper drainage system always has been discussed in agricultural or other fields. In anisotropic soils, this problem is more sensitive for experts. In this study, a comparison has been done between horizontal and vertical drainage in anisotropic soils. For this purpose, using EnDrainWin and WellDrain softwares drain spacing and well spacing, respectively, determined. The results showed that in the same situation, horizontal drainage systems due to the higher spacings between drains (reducing number of drainage and thus reducing the cost) were better than vertical drainage systems. However, vertical drainage systems due to the lower changes in well spacing in different anisotropic soils were suitable for conditions that soil hydraulic conductivity was likely to change.

営農段階を考慮した地表排水性向上のための水田管理シミュレーション

Farmers must manage paddy fields for maximum reduction in the water volume that remains after surface drainage. Using computer simulation, we compared two methods for accomplishing this purpose: moving the soil to reduce the altitude on the outlet side and creating an open-ditch drainage. We found that 1) lowering the outlet side reduced the remaining water volume, 2) creating an open-ditch drainage further reduced the water volume, and 3) the effects of these methods depended on the direction of surface roughness of the paddy field.

Hydrological modelling of drained blanket peatland

Open ditch drainage is a commonly implemented land management practice in upland blanket peatlands, particularly in the UK, where policy decisions between the 1940s and 1970s led to widespread drainage of the uplands. The change in the hydrological regime associated with the drainage of blanket peat is poorly understood, yet has perceived importance for flooding, low flows and water quality. We propose a new simplified physics-based model that allows the associated hydrological processes and flow responses to be explored. The model couples four one-dimensional models to represent a three-dimensional hillslope, allowing for the exploration of flow and water table response throughout the model domain for a range of drainage configurations and peat properties. The model is tested against a data set collected from Oughtershaw Beck, UK, with results showing good model performance for wet periods although less conformity with borehole observations during rewetting periods. A wider exploration of model behaviour indicates that the model is consistent with the hydrological response reported in the literature for a number of drained blanket peat sites, and therefore has potential to provide guidance to decision makers concerning the effects of management practices. Through a global sensitivity analysis, we conclude that further field investigations to assist in the surface and drain roughness parameterisation would help reduce the uncertainty in the model predictions.

Ontology-based simulation of water flow in organic soils applied to Florida sugarcane

An ontology-based simulation (OntoSim) is a unique data modeling environment where soil–plantnutrient processes are represented as database objects and the user-defined relationships among objects are used to generate computer code (Java) for running the simulation. The aim of this study was to model hydrologic processes of sugarcane-grown organic soils utilizing OntoSim in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of South Florida. This OntoSim-Sugarcane model describes the complex hydrology of subirrigation and open ditch drainage commonly used on Florida farms. Model calibration was conducted by (i) selecting rectangular farm water management units ( 0.65; coefficient of residual mass 0.55 and coefficient of residual mass <3%. It indicated that OntoSim-Sugarcane is able to simulate daily fluctuations of WT within the farm units and estimate lateral drainage/sub-irrigation and deep seepage that significantly contribute to the water balance at farms in the EAA. Thus, it can be a promising management tool to provide farmers with accurate assessment of water movement in this agricultural area.

Application of DRAINMOD-Ks-STMAX to Predict Deep Chiseling Effects on a Drained Southern Alluvial Soil

Deep chiseling in heavy drained soils can help increase infiltration and hence reduce erosion, potentially enhancing growth by reducing excess water in the root zone and reducing nutrient losses through the reduction of runoff to surface waters. The goals of this study were to apply DRAINMOD-Ks-STMAX, a modified form of the water management model, DRAINMOD 1) to predict the effects of deep chiseling on hydrology for a subsurface drained plot and 2) to determine the frequency and timing of deep chiseling. Data from a subsurface drained plot at Ben Hur Research site near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were used. Simulation results indicated that deep chiseling a Commerce silt loam, a southern alluvial soil, increased cumulative infiltration (CI) by 16% and reduced cumulative sub-surface drainage (CSD) and cumulative surface runoff (CRO) by 26% and 37%, respectively, between 28 September 1995 and 21 November 1996. Between 22 November 1996 and 22 November 1997, it increased CI and CSD by 9% and 17%, respectively, and reduced CRO by 22%. Vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) had decreased by 99%, from a maximum initial value immediately after deep chiseling, by the time 150 cm of rain had fallen (approximately 12 months) since deep chiseling. For high rainfall states like Louisiana, with average annual rainfall often exceeding 150 cm, this translates to deep chiseling once every year whereas in drier states deep chiseling can be done once every two to three years depending on the amount of rainfall. Depending on the cumulative amount of rainfall at planting, producers can lose 85% or more of the maximum deep chiseling benefits due to reduced Ks. Because of great rainfall variability in Louisiana and other southern states, it is advisable for farmers to deep chisel their fields just prior to the planting season. Results of this model simulation study indicate that DRAINMOD-Ks-STMAX can be used as a cost-effective (saving time and money) tool to predict the effects of deep chiseling in poorly drained soils with subsurface drainage and potentially open ditch drainage, and to advise farmers on the frequency and timing of deep chiseling based on science. However, the model needs to be tested for longer time periods and under different climatic conditions and soil types before it can be recommended for general application for the purposes listed above.

Chemical changes in a saline-sodic soil after gypsum application and cropping

Reclamation is needed on three million ha of slowly permeable saline-sodic soils in the Indus Plain of Pakistan. Previous studies measured an increased field-saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K fs) in the soil under study with cropping and gypsum application. This field experiment was conducted on a low permeability, saline-sodic soil (a fine-loamy, mixed thermic Typic Natrustalf) to compare the leaching of sodium and soluble salts and changes in chemical properties after various treatments. Treatments were: (i) perennial alfalfa ( Madicago sativa L.), (ii) a rotation of sesbania [ Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.)W.F. Wright]-wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)-sesbania, (iii) incorporated wheat straw at 7.5 Mg ha −1 and (iv) a fallow control. These four treatments were each combined with and without 25 Mg ha −1 of gypsum and open-ditch drainage. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Na +, Ca 2+, Mg 2+ and Cl − of the soil in the saturated paste extract under each treatment were measured in each 20 cm increment to 120 cm after 6 month and 1 yr. Gypsum application increased the soluble Na + in the top 20 cm soil. Poor internal drainage of the soil caused the exchanged Na + to remain in the soil solution. However, one year after the treatments, the crop rotation with gypsum significantly decreased SAR, EC, pH and Cl − in the top 20 cm of soil. Alfalfa decreased these same parameters when compared to fallow in the top 80 cm of soil in gypsum-treated plots. The open-ditch drainage was not helpful in reclamation of this soil. In general, for surface soil improvement, a combination of added gypsum plus crop rotation was the best. For improvement of the deeper soil profile, gypsum plus alfalfa was the most effective of the treatments used.

Modelling the hydrological impacts of open ditch drainage

Open ditch drainage has been observed to have a significant effect on catchment runoff regimes, yet the processes generating the changes are not well understood. An approach of physically based modelling is used, with a fine grid resolution, on a very simple hill-slope model to analyse how ditches affect runoff. Results from the simulations show that the most important process is the change in behaviour of the sub-surface, under near-saturated conditions, when there is a much higher and more variable sub-surface exchange flow into the stream network. The speed of the surface runoff response is also affected. From the results of the analysis a method using effective parameterisation has been developed to recreate the effects of the drainage in a coarser resolution catchment model. The method involves calculating effective saturated hydraulic conductivities for the sub-surface flows and effective Strickler coefficients for the surface flows. The application of the method is demonstrated for a sub-catchment of the River South Tyne at Alston. Results from these simulations show that predictions of flow for the catchment can be improved by using the effective parameterisation to create a pseudo drainage representation of the sub-grid-scale channels within the model. Simulations of more intensive drainage scenarios show that the effects of open ditch drainage on hydrology are significant and that the direction of change is not intuitive.

Simulation of controlled drainage in open-ditch drainage systems

Subsurface water management was analyzed for a typical open-ditch drainage system in eastern North Carolina. The water management model, watrcom, was used to simulate conventional drainage, controlled drainage, and subirrigation for the 1982–1986 growing seasons. The effects of water management on drainage outflow, relative corn yields, and irrigation water requirements were analyzed. The effect of inflow from upstream uncontrolled drainage areas was also considered. During the dry years controlled drainage increased relative yields over conventional drainage; however, predicted yields were less than those obtained with subirrigation because of drought stresses. In 1984, rainfall exceeded pet and yields predicted for controlled drainage were similar to those obtained with subirrigation. Controlled drainage also decreased drainage outflows. Both average yields and yields midway between the drainage ditches were analyzed for all water management treatments. The relationship between yield and distance from the drain was dependent on hydraulic conductivity. Predicted yields for conventional drainage were higher at the midpoint than those near the ditch due primarily to drought. However, yields near the ditches tended to be higher than those at the midpoint for controlled drainage and subirrigation.