Effect of subsurface drainage on rabi crops in the flood prone areas of Dankuni basin in West Bengal

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during rabi seasons of 1997-98 and 1998-99 in the flood prone areas of Dankuni basin to investigate the techno-economic feasibility of subsurface tile drainage on four important crops. The study revealed that with the adoption of drainage measures the economic yield of crop was increased by 79.2 per cent for mustard, 111.9 per cent for pea, 74.7 per cent for okra and 115.7 per cent for wheat, respectively as compared with control. The average gross and net returns and benefit-cost ratio is also higher in case of adoption of drainage measures indicating its feasibility in this situation. There was a considerable loss of plant nutrients in the form of organic matter, available P and K through drainage water and therefore, needs its application regularly.