Waterlogging: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

Induction of Waterlogging

Water logging means that waterlogging occurs when there is too much water in a plant’s root zone, which decreases the oxygen available to roots. Waterlogging can be a major constraint to plant growth and production and, under certain conditions, will cause plant death.

Waterlogging Meaning

Water logging meaning is that waterlogging is the saturation of soil with water. Soil may be regarded as waterlogged when it is nearly saturated with water much of the time such that its air phase is restricted and anaerobic conditions prevail. In agriculture, which deals with water logged soil, various crops need air (specifically, oxygen) to a greater or lesser depth in the soil.

What Is Waterlogging?

What is water logging? Agricultural land is said to be waterlogged when its productivity or fertility is affected by a high water table. The depth of water table at which it tends to make the soil water-logged and harmful to the growth and subsistence of plant life depends upon the height of capillary fringe, which is the height to which water will rise due to capillary action.

The height of the capillary fringe is more for fine-grained soil and less for coarse-grained ones. The normal height of the capillary fringe met within agricultural soils varies from 0.50 to 1.60 m.

The crop yield is adversely affected when the capillary meniscus surface rises to within 0.6 m of the ground surface. The land will, therefore. be waterlogged when the water table is within 1.50 air (i.e. 0.6 + 0.9 )to 2.1 m (i.e. 0.6 + 1.5) below the ground surface.

The adverse effects of the high water table upon the yield of crops also depend upon the nature of crop grown. Plants with longer roots going deeper are more susceptible to the high water table. The depath of water table which adversely affects the growth of diffrent crops is given below:

The problem of water logging in our country is a matter of deep concern The total waterlogged land is estimated at 26.3 lakh hectares in area. West Bengal and Punjab have the waterlogged area as 10.33 lakh and 10.12 lakh hectares. Uttar Pradesh comes third in the list with an area 2.03 lakh hectares.

The waterlogging is spreading. The magnitude of the problem will be evident from the fact that during 40 years period from 1918 to 1958, the water table in Arid Pandu,  Arind Sengar and Sengar Yamuna Doab by about 3 m.

The percolation and adsorption losses from canals is a dual loss in as much as water that could beneficially be utilized for irrigation is wasted and in addition the same cause damage to agricultural land due to waterlogging.

How to Prevent Waterlogging?

1. A mulch of well-rotted manure will help improve soil structure.
2. Leafmould is easy to make and very beneficial for the soil.
3. Using raised beds can help prevent problems with waterlogging.
4. Raise pots up off the ground to aid drainage.

Effect of Waterlogging

The infertility of the soil when an area becomes waterlogged is usually due to the following reasons:

1. Inhibiting Activity of Soil Bacteria
2. Decrease in Available Capillary Water
3. Fall in Soil Temperature
4. Defective Air Circulation
5. Rise of Salt
6. Dealy in Cultivation Operations
7. Growth of Wild Flora
8. Adverse Effect on the Community Health 

Inhibiting Activity of Soil Bacteria

The liberation of plant food is dependent upon the activity of’ soil bacteria, which requires an adequate amount of oxygen h the air for proper functioning. When the soil pores within the root zones of the crops normally grown are so saturated as to effectively cut off the normal circulation of air, the land is said to be waterlogged.

Decrease in Available Capillary Water

Plant life draws its substance from the soil-solution round the soil particles which is drawn into the plants by capillary action and osmosis. If the water table is high, the roots of the plants are confined to the top layers of the soil above the water table while if the water table is lower, the roots of plants have more room for growth.

Fall in Soil Temperature

A waterlogged soil warms up slowly and due to lower temperature, the action of soil bacteria is sluggish and plant food available is less.

Defective Air Circulation

When the water table is high, the drainage becomes impossible and the carbon dioxide liberated by the plant roots cannot be dissolved and taken away. Consequently, fresh air containing oxygen is not drawn and the activity of soil bacteria and plant growth suffers.

Rise of Salt

The rise of water-table also causes accumulation of alkali salts in the surface soil by the upward flow of water which is established in waterlogged lands. If the underlying layers contain alkali salts in solution they are brought up with water which evaporates leaving the salt on the surface.

The alkaline deposit changes the pH value of soil. Soils with pH value 7.0 to 8:5 give normal yields, with pH value 8.0 to 9.0 the yield decreases; when pH value rises to 11.0, the soil becomes infertile.

Dealy in Cultivation Operations

In waterlogged areas, cultivation operations such as ploughing and mulching are either impossible or difficult and in any case, they are delayed. Sowing of crops and their growth is also delayed. Crop yield is poor and it arrives late in the market causing loss to cultivators.

Growth of Wild Flora

In waterlogged soils, natural flora such as water hyacinth grows profusely. This reduces the crop yield. A cultivator has to waste money and time both for clearing is out.

Adverse Effect on the Community Health

The climate of a waterlogged area becomes damp. Formation of stagnant pools may become breeding places for mosquitoes. The climate thus becomes extremely detrimental to the health of the community.

Causes of Waterlogging

Causes of water logging include that waterlogging is caused by a combination of excess rainfall (for the site), poor external drainage (runoff), poor internal drainage (water movement in the soil profile) and the inability of the soil to store much water. Waterlogging in any particular area is normally the result of several contributory factors.

The main factors causing waterlogging are given below:

1. Inadequate Surface Drainage  
2. Seepage from the Canal System 
3. Over-Irrigation of Fields
4. Obstruction of Natural Drainage
5. Obliteration of Natural Drainage
6. Inadequate Capacity for Arterial Drainage
7. Construction of a Water Reservoir 
8. Natural Obstruction to the Flow of Ground Water 

Inadequate Surface Drainage

When the water logged area has surface drainage that is not adequate, the heavy precipitation in the area is not drained off quickly and the rainwater remains stagnant over the area for a considerable time. This gives rise to heavy percolation and water-table rises in the area.

Seepage from the Canal System

In nature, especially in areas prone to meaning of waterlogging, the water table is in a state of equilibrium. The amount of inflow is practically equal to the amount to outflow. Thus equilibrium is upset by the construction of a new canal system as a new constant source of inflow due to seepage is introduced.

The water-table in the area, therefore, rises. The rise takes place up to a level where the increased inflow is balanced by the increased outflow. The increased outflow is mainly because of an increase in soil evaporation due to nearness of water-table, increased transpiration from plants and increased discharge in seepage drains.

Over-Irrigation of Fields

When the irrigation water applied to the field is in excess of the requirement of the crop, deep percolation takes place which is retained in the intermediate zone augmenting the ground water storage.

Obstruction of Natural Drainage

If waterlogging definition is considered, natural drainage obstructed by irrigation channel, rail or road embankments, it will not be able to pass the rainwater of catchment. There will thus be flooding of land and consequent waterlogging.

Obliteration of Natural Drainage

Sometimes the cultivators plough up and obliterate existing natural drainage. This results in a stoppage of stormwater flow, consequent flooding and waterlogging.

Inadequate Capacity for Arterial Drainage

The arterial drainage or Nadi may not have adequate capacity to pass the heaviest floods in the entire catchment. As such the functions of all the drains connected to the arterial drain are seriously hampered. The flood water of local drains thus spreads over the countryside for days and heavy percolation into the subsoil causes an alarming rise in the water table.

Construction of a Water Reservoir

Similar to the seepage from a canal in a water logged area, the seepage from the reservoir augments the water table and may cause waterlogging.

Natural Obstruction to the Flow of Ground Water

Sometimes subsoil does not permit a free flow of subsoil water due to some natural obstruction. This may accentuate the process of raising the water table. The reaction of a high false water table or perched water table also leads to waterlogging.

FAQ: Waterlogging

What is waterlogging?

Waterlogging occurs when there is an excess of water in a plant’s root zone, which reduces the oxygen available to roots, negatively impacting plant growth and production. In severe cases, it can cause plant death.

What does waterlogging mean?

Waterlogging refers to the saturation of soil with water, restricting the air phase and creating anaerobic conditions. In agriculture, this impacts crops that require oxygen at various soil depths.

How does waterlogging affect agricultural land?

Agricultural land is considered waterlogged when a high water table affects its productivity or fertility. The depth at which the water table causes harm depends on the soil’s capillary fringe height and the type of crops grown.

What is the impact of a high water table on crop yield?

The adverse effects of a high water table on crop yield depend on the crop type and root depth. For instance, wheat is affected when the water table is 0.9 to 1.2 meters deep, while cotton is affected at 1.5 to 1.8 meters.

What are the main causes of waterlogging?

Waterlogging is caused by a combination of factors, including excess rainfall, poor external and internal drainage, and the soil’s limited water storage capacity. Key causes include inadequate surface drainage, seepage from canal systems, over-irrigation, and obstruction of natural drainage.

How can waterlogging be prevented?

Preventive measures for waterlogging include improving soil structure with well-rotted manure, using leaf mold, raising beds to aid drainage, and elevating pots off the ground.

What are the effects of waterlogging on soil and plants?

Waterlogging leads to several adverse effects, such as inhibiting soil bacteria activity, decreasing available capillary water, lowering soil temperature, defective air circulation, salt rise, delayed cultivation operations, growth of wild flora, and negative impacts on community health.

How does waterlogging inhibit soil bacteria activity?

Waterlogging saturates soil pores, cutting off normal air circulation needed by soil bacteria to liberate plant food. This inhibits bacterial activity and affects plant growth.

What happens to soil temperature in waterlogged conditions?

Waterlogged soil warms up slowly, leading to a lower temperature that makes soil bacteria sluggish, reducing the availability of plant food.

How does waterlogging affect soil salinity?

Waterlogging causes alkali salts to accumulate in the surface soil as water evaporates, leaving the salts behind. This changes the soil’s pH value, reducing its fertility.

How does waterlogging impact cultivation operations?

In waterlogged areas, cultivation operations like plowing and sowing are difficult or delayed, resulting in poor crop yields and financial losses for farmers.

What is the impact of waterlogging on community health?

Waterlogged areas can create stagnant pools, becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and leading to health issues for the local community.

What are the main factors causing inadequate surface drainage?

Inadequate surface drainage results from heavy precipitation not being drained off quickly, leading to stagnant water, heavy percolation, and a rising water table.

How does seepage from canal systems contribute to waterlogging?

Seepage from canal systems disrupts the natural water table equilibrium, causing the water table to rise until a new balance is achieved through increased evaporation, plant transpiration, and seepage drains.

What is the role of over-irrigation in causing waterlogging?

Over-irrigation causes deep percolation, which augments groundwater storage and raises the water table, leading to waterlogging.

How do natural obstructions affect groundwater flow and contribute to waterlogging?

Natural obstructions in the subsoil can hinder the free flow of groundwater, raising the water table and exacerbating waterlogging issues.

How does the construction of reservoirs impact waterlogging?

Similar to canal seepage, reservoirs can augment the water table through seepage, contributing to waterlogging in the surrounding areas.