Managing Groundwater for Irrigated Agriculture: The Relevance of Biodrainage Model

Book Details:

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Author: A. S. Kapoor

• Language: English

• Edition: 2014

• ISBN: 9788131606247

• Pages: 341

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches

About the Book:

This book addresses a critical issue faced by Indian farmers—losing precious cultivable land due to waterlogging and salinity. The book advocates for the need to manage the groundwater table and maintain it at a safe depth below the surface to counteract the adverse effects of salinity. It also critiques the traditional method of sub-surface drainage, which pollutes water bodies when saline water is discharged. The author proposes an environmentally friendly alternative—biodrainage through tree plantations—as a potential solution.

This book goes beyond local challenges and offers a global perspective on irrigation, detailing the prevailing conditions and the status of irrigation across various countries. It covers essential topics like groundwater salinity, plant physiology, and the uptake of water and minerals by crops and trees. Furthermore, it integrates recent research findings from India and case studies from different regions worldwide, providing a comprehensive view of the subject.

The book is designed to serve as a valuable resource for irrigation and drainage engineers, soil scientists, groundwater managers, agro-forestry and ecology planners, and researchers in water and land management. It will also be beneficial for universities, institutes imparting education on irrigation, drainage, groundwater, and land management, as well as NGOs involved in these areas.

Contents include:

• Land and Water Use for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture

• Salts in Soils and Water

• Plant Mechanism of Absorbing and Transpiring Water

• Mineral Absorption by Plants

• A Case Study on Biodrainage

• Research Studies in India on Biodrainage (2004–2012)

• Principles of Biodrainage Planning and Design

• Status and Comparison of Drainage Methods

• Agro-Forestry and Silviculture

• Biodrainage: Management Aspects

About the Author:
A.S. Kapoor is a distinguished professional who graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Roorkee, India. He has received specialized training from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers. Kapoor has also pursued advanced studies in soil mechanics and applied hydrology at the University of Colorado. He has contributed numerous papers and received several awards for his work. With extensive experience on the Rajasthan Canal Project, he has provided consultancy services in irrigation and drainage to several countries, including to the World Bank, FAO, and USAID.