Reference

Water management in poldered raised bed systems : a case study in the Chao Phraya delta. Kasetsart University, DORAS Center, Research report 4, 72 pp. 1998

Authors :

Fran็ois Molle
Chusak Suthi
Jesda Keawkulaya
Roongapa Korpraditskul

Summary :

Agricultural diversification is a major trend in Asian rice-based systems. In lowlands, however, soil and water conditions are mostly suitable to rice cultivation and significant land development is required to accommodate field crops, vegetables or fruit trees. Raised bed systems, often poldered, are a technique in full development, especially in the Chao Phraya delta. They go together with specific techniques of water management, both at the polder level (between the plots and the canals) and at the plot level (bed irrigation).

Details of this management is given for three different crops : mango, grapes and asparagus. The water balance over one year is specified, showing the relative importance of pumping and gravity flows, water consumption, the frequency of bed-irrigation, the evolution of the water table in the beds, humidity in the soil (for some periods). Issues related to water quality and agricultural management are also addressed, showing the variability of some basic variables and parameters. Operational costs are shown together with the high profitability of this intensive agriculture.

Keywords :

Thailand / Chao Phraya / Mae Klong / irrigation / raised beds / water management / water quality / agricultural diversification / delta / cropping systems / horticulture

Contacts :

Dr. Fran็ois Molle (ORSTOM - DORAS) odoras@nontri.ku.ac.th
Dr. Jesda Keawkulaya (Kastsart University, Bangkhen,10900 Bangkok)
Dr. Roongnapa Korpraditskul ( Kasetsart University) rdirnk@nontri.ku.ac.th