Current status and prospects of agricultural drainage in China

Waterlogged and saline-alkali-affected soils are the main restrictions for agricultural production in many regions in China. Great efforts have been expended to conduct research on how to reclaim waterlogged and saline-alkali-affected soils for sustained agricultural productivity. Long-term practices have proved that agricultural drainage can be used to reduce the incidence of waterlogging and saline-alkali soil problems, as well as reclaim waterlogged and saline-alkali-affected soils, thus enhancing and sustaining agricultural productivity and national economic development. This paper describes the importance of agricultural drainage technology in China, reviews the current status of drainage technology, summarizing existing problems, and making some comparisons of drainage technologies from China and the USA. Future research needs in drainage technology for China are proposed. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.