Status and Prospects for R & D on Installation Machinery of Subsurface Land Drain-pipes

Land drainage can remove excess soil water，reduce water table and control soil salinity.Among different land drainage solutions，subsurface pipe drainage has proven in many countries around the world to be the most effective practice suitable for large-area applications.With advance of technology，implementation of drainage project has evolved from manual installation to large-scale fully-mechanized implementation，and the on-grade depth control is realized with laser/satellite positioning system，resulting in substantial increase in working efficiency and accuracy.However，large-scale application of such technology is constrained by its higher lump-sum investment.In this context，the best suitable method should be deliberated by reviewing limitations and advantages of different installation method and availability of installation machinery.Further efforts should be made to explore a complete set of procedures for implementation of subsurface pipe drainage systems and to develop new implementation practices and new materials，in a push to cut down construction cost，reduce investment risk，and improve capacity，efficiency and performance of various installation machines and equipment.Moreover，technical training and international cooperation are indispensable to draw experiences and learn lessons from leading countries for smooth extension of the technology in the saline-alkali areas scattered across China.In the end，the saline-alkali land can be improved on a larger scale and at a reasonable cost so as to stop or reverse worsening ecological environment for a sustainable development of agriculture and forestry industry.