Drainage and irrigation tips for laterite soils

Managing water in laterite soils requires a dual strategy: ensuring good drainage to handle heavy rainfall and prevent topsoil hardening, while using efficient irrigation to combat the soil's natural low water-holding capacity.

Drainage Tips 

• Improve Soil Structure: The best long-term solution is to incorporate plenty of organic matter (compost, FYM). This improves soil aggregation and allows water to percolate naturally.
• Create Surface Drains: Dig shallow open channels or ditches along the edges of fields to safely carry away excess surface water during heavy rains.
• Use Contours on Slopes: On sloping land, farming along contours or creating terraces slows down water runoff, preventing soil erosion and allowing water to drain gently.
• Install French Drains: In areas prone to persistent waterlogging, a French drain (a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe) is a highly effective subsurface drainage solution.

Irrigation Tips 

• Use Drip Irrigation: This is the most efficient method for laterite soils. It delivers water directly to the plant's root zone, minimizing losses from evaporation and runoff and saving 60-70% of water compared to flood irrigation.
• Schedule "Little and Often": Water the crops more frequently but with smaller amounts of water. This keeps the root zone moist without overwhelming the soil's low water-holding capacity.
• Apply Mulch: A thick layer of organic mulch is a farmer's best friend on laterite soil. It drastically reduces evaporation from the soil surface, conserving water and reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
• Irrigate at the Right Time: Water the crops during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening) to minimize evaporation.