Drainage Research Centre (DRC), Tandojam

Drainage Research Centre (DRC) established in 1975, under PCRWR, conducts research in drainage and reclamation of waterlogged and salt affected soils, groundwater resources development and management, soil and water management and other related aspects. It conducts scientific, technological and economic research on the problems related to irrigated agriculture, which have seriously affected agricultural production of the Indus Plain soils. DRC has successfully introduced pipe drainage technology amongst the progressive farmers, with their collaboration, for reclamation of waterlogged and salt affected soils. Farmers have shared 25-71 percent of the capital cost and have borne full responsibility of the operation and maintenance costs. Similarly, the farmers have benefited from skimming well technology, by augmenting irrigation supplies by skimming fresh water floating over native saline groundwater. Monitoring and evaluation of installed drainage projects has generated scientific data, for planning of future drainage projects. Research in water management, especially on innovative irrigation techniques has created an added interest. DRC Documentation and dissemination of research findings/results, to the farming community/end users is also a regular activity of the Centre.

Statuary Functions

Drainage of agricultural waterlogged lands Salinity control and land reclamation Irrigation practices and water management Irrigation and drainage modeling Drinking water quality monitoring Control on groundwater exploitation and deterioration Introduction of efficient technologies for water resources development and management Coastal area water resources management, sea water intrusion

Facilities Available

Library

It is a modest but a specialized library holding 2112 titles on agriculture, irrigation, drainage, land reclamation and related fields. Domestic as well as foreign journals create an added interest. B ibliographies on land and water development are also available. The services of this library are also available to outdoor research workers as well students

Soil and Water Quality Laboratory

The soil and water quality laboratory of Centre has been equipped with latest instruments/equipment with qualified trained staff. The laboratory has the capability to analyse following parameters:

Water Quality Analysis

Alkalinity, Aluminum, Antimony, Ammonia, Arsenic, Barium, Bicarbonate, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Carbonate, COD, Copper, Chloride, Chromium, Cobalt, Colour, Conductivity, DO, Fluoride, Free CO2, Free Chlorine, Hardness, Iodide, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Manganese, Magnesium, Mercury, Nickel, Nitrate (N), Nitrite (as NO2), Odour, pH, Phosphorus, Phosphate, Potassium, Selenium, Silicon, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Sulphate, Suspended Solids, Taste, Tin, Total Chlorine, TDS, TSS, Turbidity, Zinc, Coliform and E. Coli

Soil Analysis

ECe (Electrical Conductivity of Soil Extract), pH, CO3, HCO3, CL, SO4 (Anions meq/1), Ca+Mg, Na, K (Cations meq/1), SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio), ESP (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage), Soil Texture followed by Boucus Method with Sand %, Silt %, Clay %, and Textural Class, Moisture Content Analysis, Gypsum Requirement, Particle Size Analysis, Cations Size Exchange Capacity, Saturation Percentage.

Research and Experimental Farm

The Drainage Research Centre (DRC) has established a research farm on 25 acres of land which is located at Tando Jam; about 18 kilometers in the east of Hyderabad. The DRC research farm has mild weather and low rainfall. The source of irrigation is skimming well and canal. A single bore skimming well at DRC Campus has been installed in 1984. The exploited water is used for irrigation of the experimental crops and as well as drinking purpose of staff colony and office block. 23 piezometers were installed at different depths and locations to monitor hydraulic gradient, radius of influence and the groundwater quality etc. The farm has piped irrigation network and lined watercourses. Irrigation techniques i.e. trickle and sprinkler, bed and furrow, basin and flood are being evaluated on wheat, cotton, sugarcane, mango, ber, lemon and guava.

Lysimeter Station

The lysimeters at DRC campus are RCC constructed, which were made leakage proof by coating with bitumen in the inner walls and the bottom. These are the conventional type lysimeters and were constructed in 1985. There are 12 lysimeters, each measuring 3m x 3m x 5m. Each lysimeter is provided with filter screens, non calcareous spawls and graded gravel filter material, drainage outlet and water feeding arrangement. For the artificial maintenance of different watertable depths, mariotte graduated bottles are installed on all the 12 lysimeters. Thus the quantity of water consumed by crop from watertable was recorded. To maintain the desired watertable depths, each lysimeter is provided with a pressure meter and a manometer and for counter check of watertable depths, the piezometers are also installed in all the lysimeters. The drainage effluent is collected in containers for measurement.

Agro-Meteorological Station

This B class Agro-meteorological station was established in March 1986 at Drainage Research Centre (DRC), Tando Jam. Climatical parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, pan-evaporation, wind velocity, wind direction, sunshine hours, rain, wet and dry temperature etc. are recorded and compiled on regular basis. Potential or reference evapotranspiration (ETP) are calculated on daily and hourly basis using modified penman equation.

Cultivation of mustard crop at the lysimeter Station A view of agro-meteorological station, DRC Campus, Tando Jam

Research Team Sr.# Name and Designation Qualification Specialization 1 Mr. Muhammad Khan Marri Director Incharge M.E (Agri.) Drainage Engineering 2 Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Director PhD. (Soil Sci.) Soil Science 3 Mr. Muhammad Bachal Mirani Deputy Director M.Sc. (Agri.) Honours Agriculture Economics 4 Mr. Allah Wasayo Malnas Director (Current Charge) M.Sc. (Agri.) Honours Agriculture Engineering 5 Mr. Qadir Ali Sipiu Deputy Director M.Sc. (Agri.) Honours Farm Management and Agriculture Economics 6 Rao Muhammad Ishtiaque Deputy Director B.E (Agri.) Farm and Water Management 7 Mr. Abdul Salam Arain Deputy Director M.E (Agri.) Irrigation and Drainage 8 Mr. Noor Muhammad Kazi Deputy Director B.Com Finance 9 Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Moroojo Deputy Director B.E (Civil) Civil and Drainage Works 10 Mr. Abdul Qayoom Soomro Assistant Director B.Sc. (Chem.) Soil and Water Analysis 11 Mr. Tariq Iqbal Soomro Assistant Director M.Sc Geology Computer Technology 12 Mr. Muhammad Ismail Jakhro Assistant Director B.E (Civil) Civil and Drainage Work 13 Mr. Allah Bachayo Barich Assistant Director B.E (Mech.) Mechanical Engineering 14 Mr. Zafarullah Memon Assistant Director B.E (Agri) Agriculture Engineering 15 Mr. Ali Sher Shaikh Assistant Director M.Sc Geology Groundwater Quality and Survey 16 Mr. Rajab Ali Samoo Assistant Director ; B.E (Agri.) Water Management 17 Mr. Janib Khan Assistant Director B.Com Finance and Budgeting 18 Mr. Mir Muhammad Taggar Librarian M.A (Econo.) Library Management and Services 19 Mir Sobdar Khan Talpur Assistant Scientific Officer B.E (Elect.) Computer and Electrical System Specialist 20 Mr. Karim Dino Saheto Administrative Officer B.A., L.I.B Administration and Office Management 21 Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Chandio assistant Scientific Officer M.Sc. (Agri.) Water Management 22 Mr. Abdul Jabbar Assistant Scientific Officer B.Sc. Chemistry M.A Social Work Soil and Water Analysis 22 Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Baloch Sub-Engineer DAE. (Mech) Farm and Drainage Machinery Specialist

Sitting (L to R): Abdul Qayoom Soomro, Assistant Director (Lab.), Abdul Salam Arain, Deputy Director (DE & Arsenic Monitoring), Muhammad Haroon Chang, Director (W.M) Muhammad Khan Marri, Director Incharge (DRC), Qadir Ali Sipio, Deputy Director (W.M), Noor Muhammad Arain, Deputy Director, Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Deputy Director (Lib.) Standing (L to R): Tariq Iqbal Soomro, Assistant Director (Lib. & Com.) Mir Muhammad Taggar, Librarian, Ghulam Mustafa Chandio, Assistant Scienctific Officer, Noor Muhammad Kazi, Deputy Director (Finance), Allah Bachayo Barich, Assistant Director (Transport), Zafarullah Memon, Assistant Director (Lysi.), Janib Khan Baloch, Assistant Director (Finance), Ali Sher Shaikh, Assistant Director

Major Development Projects Completed

Collaborative On-Farm Pipe Drainage under National Drainage Programme (NDP) National Water Quality Monitoring Programme

Major Research Studies Completed (Non-Development)

1. Effect of Fallowing and Cropping on Soil Salinization at 1.5 m Watertable Depth (2000-20003)

This study was conducted in main lysimeters. The main objectives of this study were to see the effect of 1.5 m watertable depth on the yield of wheat and cotton crops and assess soil salinity development in the soil profile under cropped and fallow conditions. This study would also help to assess the upward movement of salts under cropped and uncropped conditions. There were two treatments i.e. cropping and fallowing each with two replications. Thus, under each soil type, three lysimeters were under crop and three lysimeters were left fallow. Wheat follows the cotton crop whereas the fallow lysimeters remained fallow through out the study period. The findings of the study revealed that by cropping, salts leach down from upper layers and deposit in lower layers. Reverse is the process in case of fallowing. It is therefore recommended, that cultivated lands may not be left fallow for long periods, as such practice may result in the deposition salts are in the upper layer of soil by capillary action.

2. Cultivationof Orchards Plants on Trickle Irrigation Systems for Water Saving and Water Use Efficiency (July 2001 to July 2006)

Utwo kinds of fruit plants i,e jujube and lemon were planted under trickle, basin and flood irrigation systems to i) assess water saving and water use efficiency in trickle over basin and flood irrigation methods ii) Soil salinity status iii)establish basis for estimating per acre cost of trickle irrigation system for orchards / fruit trees and iv)demonstration and awareness to the farming community, university students and visiting scientists and researchers.Ranged from 74 to 90% water saving, 42% increase in yield and approximately 200 kg/m3/ha water use efficiency was observed in trickle irrigation system followed by basin and flood irrigation system.

3. Bed and Furrow Irrigation Techniques, for Wheat and Cotton (Rabi 2001-2002 to Kharif 2004)

This study was conducted at DRC research farm to study the effect of bed and furrow irrigation method for crop yields and soil salinity builtup and to study the water use efficiency of furrow irrigation system v/s flat irrigation method.

The treatments were kept as follows:

Treatments for wheat crop: T1 = Control (Normal sowing), T¬¬2 = Sowing in double row on one spacing (20 cm) wide ridge followed by one spacing and (25 cm) deep furrow, T¬3 = Sowing in triple row on one two spacing (40 cm) wide ridge followed by one spacing and (25 cm) deep for wheat crop

Treatments for cotton crop: T1 = Control (normal sowing), T2 = Sowing in single row on half spacing (75 cm) wide ridge followed by half spacing and (25 cm) deep furrow, T3 = Sowing in double row on one spacing (75 cm) wide ridge followed by one spacing and (25 cm) deep furrow for cotton crop.

In this study cotton was sown in Kharif and wheat in Rabi. The treatments were replicated twice, thus the total number of plots were 9. It was found that in T3 there was 23.4% water saving, 30.9 and 71.1% more yields and water use efficiency under wheat crop and 20.3% water saving, 28.3 and 61.1% more yields and water use efficiency under cotton crops was achieved. More yields and water use efficiency was obtained in T3 as compared to T2 and T1 respectively.

Rice on bed and furrow irrigation system Cultivation of lemon under trickle irrigation

4. Determination of Consumptive Use of Water for Chickpeas and Moongbean Crops (November 2002-october 2005)

.This study was conducted for two years in mini lysimeters at DRC Farm, Tando Jam. Chickpeas in Rabi and moongbean in Kharif are sown with four treatments, replicated thrice. The major objectives were to determine the consumptive use of water of chickpeas and moongbean crops, establish crop coefficients and crop coefficient curves, to establish suitable irrigation schedulings as low delta crops for lower Sindh and yield estimation under different irrigation treatments and water use efficiency. The treatments were 75 mm irrigation after 7 (T1), 14 (T2), 21 (T3) and 28(T4) days with three replications. The results showed thatTo obtain maximum yield of mungbean and chickpeas crops, consumptive use of water for chick peas and mungbean was determined as 310 mm and 440 mm respectively. The plants of mungbean crop obtained maximum height in T4 followed by T3 and T1. Good crop height of chickpeas was attained in all the treatments and the yield of chickpeas in T4 was high as compared to other treatments.

5. Determination of Consumptive Use of Water for Mustard & Chillies under Different Watertable Depths (November 2003-October 2006)

The research study was conducted in 12 drainage type lysimeters. Six lysimeters were filled with medium texture soil (Sultanpur Series) and six with moderately fine texture soil (Miani Series). There are three treatments i,e at 1.5 m at 1.75 m and 2.00 m for mustard and 1.5, 1.75 and 2.00 m for chillies from ground surface, with two replications. Under each soil type, all the lysimeters were under mustard crop in Rabi and chillies in Kharif season. The main objectives were to determine the consumptive use of water of mustard and chillies, establish crop coefficients and crop coefficient curves for these crops using empirical formulae and yield estimation under different water table depths.It is observed that the highest yield of mustard 3600 kg/ha was recorded under 2.00 m watertable, followed by in 1.75 m watertable depth as 2500 kg/ha and under 1.5 m watertable depth as 1550 kg/ha respectively. The consumptive use under 1.5 m, 175 m and 2.00 m watertable depths was recorded as 418.87, 391.09 and 377.62 mm respectively. The consumptive use of chillies under .15 m, 1.75 m and 2.00 m watertable depth was estimated as 804.40 mm, 774.00 mm and 745.20 mm and the highest yield under 2.00 m watertable depth as 2710 kg/ha followed by 1.75 m watertable depth as 2290 kg/ha and 1.50 watertable depth as 2080 kg/ha respectively.

6. Quantification of Marginal Quality Ground Water Use for Cultivation of Wheat and Cotton (November 2003 to October 2006)

This study was started by sowing wheat in Rabi followed by cotton in Kharif. The irrigations to wheat and cotton crop were applied as per schedule with the objectives to i) see the effect of marginal quality tubewell water on the yield of wheat and cotton crops, ii) soil salinity assessment by meeting CU of both crops with marginal quality groundwater and iii) establish crop water management criteria in saline ground water conditions. It was found that Irrigation with marginall ground water (tubewell) alone and alternate irrigation with canal water did not decrease the yields of wheat and cotton significantly when compared with canal water irrigation. A slight increase in soil salinity parameters i.e.. ECe, pH, SAR and ESP was observed in marginal quality ground water used for irrigation in wheat and cotton crops after 3 years study.

Cultivation of wheat on irrigation scheduling Cultivation of sunflower as a low delta crop

7. Water Requirement of Sugar beet in Hyderabad Region (November 2003 to April 2006)

The sugar beet was grown to study its overall production in the region of Hyderabad in order t substitute the sugarcane with low delta crop of sugar beet and shifting of the sugar producing crop for growing in winter season instead of summer. The study was conducted at DRC Research Farm on area of 0.18 hectare; 12 plots of 150m2 (10mx15m) were prepared for four treatments and three replications of each treatment. The sugar beet variety KWS/1451 was sown at 50 cm row to row distance. The recommended irrigation quantity was 750 mm (as per literature) The main objectives were to i) study the water use efficiency of sugar beet for Hyderabad region, ii) compare water use of sugar beet with sugarcane, iii) compare per acre return from sugar beet as compared with sugar beet. After compilation of sugar beet yield for three years it was found that maximum yield was obtained at 75% irrigation scheduling (86 tonnes/ha) followed by 100%, 50% and 120% irrigation scheduling treatments. Whereas, maximum water was used to produce per tone of sugar beet was recorded in case of 125% of irrigation scheduling treatment (937.5 nn). The estimation of water use efficiency was highest in the treatment of 50% irrigation scheduling (181.13 kg/mm/ha).

8. Water Use Efficiency in Wheat under Optimum Management Practice (November 2005-April 2007)

This research study was conducted at DRC Research Farm on area of 0.37 ha of land. The main objectives were to evaluate the water use efficiency on wheat yield under different management practices and to study effect of sowing method on yield of wheat. The plot size was 13 x 16 m = 216 m2 and six treatments each with three replications were tried. The results showed that highest plant population (431000/ha) was achieved in treatment where sowing was done on bed and furrow while the minimum plant population was achieved in treatment where seed was sown by broadcast method. Grain yield was comparatively maximum (3660 kg/ha-1) in T6 as compared to other treatments and more water use efficiency was recorded as (11.09 kg/ha-1) in T6 as compared to other treatments.

On Going Research Studies (Non-Development)

1. Watertable Fluctuation through Deep Piezometers Installed At NIA Farm Tando Jam

The tile drainage unit was installed at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA) Farm, Tando Jam on 4.5 ha of land during the year 1987 and monitoring activities regarding water table fluctuation were undertaken on regular basis through 3 deep piezometers each set of piezometer was installed at varying depths of 10 m, 24.4 m and 30.4 m, the distance between each piezometer set was kept 2m, 6 m and 20 m respectively The objectives are to study watertable fluctuation in the project area and to study the quality of groundwater changes with time.

2. Watertable Fluctuation in Aquifer of Skimming Well Installed at DRC Experimental Farm

Skimming wells are partially penetrating wells used to withdraw or skim fresh water floating over saline water without disturbing fresh water-saline water interface. Skimming wells offer very economical and sound alternative against tile drainage where shallow fresh water is accumulated into unconfined and permeable aquifer and deep well when native saline groundwater exists at about 30 meter below the ground surface. Skimming wells are more economical than scavenger wells and offer suitable alternative to draw irrigation water from fresh water layers shallower than 30 meters. A double bore skimming water DRC field was installed during the year 2005 with a series of piezometers installed at varying distances from the skimming well covering the range of distance from 3 m to 200 m. The objectives were to study watertable fluctuation on weekly basis in DRC farm and to keep the record of skimming well pumping hours and water quality variations. The watertable lowering was recorded in the range of 1 m to 2 m after every event of pumping operation with negligible variations in EC of groundwater. It is concluded that in order to minimize the danger of fresh water aquifer pollution from up coning of underlying saline water, double bore skimming wells are more suitable than single bore skimming wells or scavenger wells. Low discharge double bore skimming well should always be preferred over scavenger wells. Skimming wells are a reliable source of supplemental irrigation. The pump discharge may increase with time if proper operation is practiced because of site specific geo-hydrological conditions. As farmers have control over their operation and maintenance, therefore they operate them on demand basis only, hence save the available energy. Skimming wells are local irrigation and drainage methods as these create favorable check over the local hydrological balance. More computer models should be calibrated for aquifer properties and guidance be developed for permissible and safe pumping range. A careful selection of design parameters is essential for safe and sustainable operation of skimming wells.

Double bore skimming well installed at Research Farm, Tando Jam Watertable depth measurements through piezometers, at NIA farm, Tando Jam

3. Cultivation of Orchards on Trickle Irrigation System for Water Saving and Water Use Efficiency

The research study is being initiated from June 2004. The main objectives are to (i) assess water saving and water use efficiency in trickle over basin and flood irrigation (ii) soil salinity assessment and its leaching fraction (iii) establish basis for estimating per ha cost of trickle system for orchards / fruit trees (iv) demonstration of high efficiency irrigation system to the farming community, university students and visiting scientists and researchers at DRC.Under the study, 02 kinds of fruit plants i.e.. ziziphus, lemon are planted under trickle irrigation system. To compare the results, the same fruit plants are also cultivated under flood and basin irrigation methods. The size of plot under each irrigation method is 36.6 m x 30.5 m = 1116.3 m2. The fruit yield at results indicated that in ziziphus higher yield was found in trickle irrigation system followed, by basin and flood systems whereas, higher water use efficiency was also found in trickle, followed by basin and flood. In lemon, basin irrigation had given more lemon yield than trickle or and flood, and maximum water use efficiency under basin was also estimated followed by trickle and least in flood irrigation system. It was found that 61.5 m3 of water can be saved using trickle over basin, 618.35 m3 of water can be saved using trickle over flood for sowing ziziphus. 44.16 m3 x 544.73 m3 of water can be saved using trickle over basin or basin over flood respectively. 61.5 m3 x 618.35 m3 of water can be saved by sowing ziziphus using trickle over basin or basin over flood respectively.

4. Evaluation of Terra Cottem for Efficient Use of Water in Orchards

The manufactures of TerraCottem material have claimed that it can absorbs water 200 times of its own weight and the same water is liable to be released to the plant roots with slow process to full fill the need of the plant. This study is being conducted at the DRC Research Farm on the fruit trees of ziziphus (Ber), on an area of 0.5 hectare. For planting trees 30cm x 30cm x 30cm size pits were excavated and the ziziphus seedlings along with the water retention material (Terra Cottem) were placed in the pits, then filled with soil along with organic manure. The irrigation to each tree is applied manually the main objectives are to evaluate water saving and water use efficiency under Terra Cottem treated fruit plants, compared with basin and flood irrigation methods and to establish a technology for better use of TerraCottem for orchard growing in rain fed areas. The Terra Cottem trials on ziziphus (Ber) conducted for six continuous years, it has been concluded that the overall growth and fruit production was found better as compared to basin and flood irrigations due to the availability of water with uniformity, after slow release of moisture from the material, as per requirement of the roots. Where as under basin and flood irrigations, the fruit trees are usually subjected to excess water, which causes the depletion of vital nutrients beyond the root zone and consequent adverse effects on normal growth of fruit trees. Terra Cottem has been proved a highly absorbent material, which has reduced the chances of water stress and over moisture to the plant system. The study is in progress.

Determination of crop water requirement of sugar beet in Hyderabad Region Determination of consumptive use of water for moongbean and chick peas

5. Monitoring of Tile Drainage Unit Shaikh Suleman Farm New Saeedabad Hyderabad

Tile drainage unit at Shaikh Suleman Farm, New Saeedabad, Hyderabad comprises of 39 acres of land. The construction work was completed in June 2000. Monitoring studies could not be started at that time, due to drought. In 2004 water table started rising therefore monitoring of hydrological parameters like water table depths, drainage coefficient and discharge measurement, water quality and soil salinity analysis etc. was started to evaluate the system performance by observing the impact of tile drainage system on agricultural activities including cropping pattern, crop yields and soil salinity. It was found that by scrapping the surface soil upto 0.5 m, trenching machine can lay the pipes at the required depth. Scrapping technique is a better one to install deep drainage system, in case of low water table conditions. The lateral lines are layed at the 1.5-1.8 m depth from ground surface and deep rooted crops and orchards can be grown. Deep drainage system is costly but effective, in case of orchards. The radial system design is economical, in case the unit is small. Radial drainage system can be adopted to save the cost of collector. Synthetic fibre (geo-textile) may be used as a filter material in medium and fine textured soils i.e. loam and silt loam.

Regular Research Activities

1. Monitoring of Drainage Projects

(i) Technical evaluation of drainage and reclamation methods. (ii) Detailed hydro-chemical monitoring of installed drainage projects. (iii) Cost-benefit analysis of various drainage and reclamation methods under different agro-hydro-geological conditions.

2. Documentation and Dissemination

Documentation and dissemination of research findings/results, in the form of brochures, booklets and documentaries to the farming community/end users through farmers field days, expert field visits, seminars, workshops etc. is a regular activity of DRC. The drainage and reclamation technologies developed by DRC have proved highly useful to achieve a significant increase in the yield and of crops and economic returns from the farms.

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