Which crops tolerate poor drainage in lateritic areas

While laterite soils are typically well-drained, compacted layers or low-lying areas can become temporarily waterlogged during heavy monsoons. True tolerance for poor drainage is rare, but some hardy crops can withstand these "wet feet" conditions better than others.

Crops with some tolerance to poor drainage in lateritic areas include:

• Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Known as Arbi, this tuber crop is one of the most waterlogging-tolerant plants and can thrive in moist, boggy conditions where other crops would fail.
• Upland or Rainfed Rice Varieties: In lower-lying lateritic patches that can hold water, certain traditional rice varieties adapted to rainfed conditions can be cultivated.
• Pineapple: While it prefers good drainage, its shallow root system allows it to tolerate periods of high soil moisture better than deep-rooted fruit trees, as long as the water is not stagnant for extended periods.
• Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata): This is primarily grown as a green manure crop because it is exceptionally tolerant of waterlogged soils. It can be planted in problematic patches to improve soil structure for future crops.

Note: Improving drainage is always the recommended long-term solution, as even tolerant crops will suffer from reduced yields in permanently waterlogged soil.