Evaluation of Hydro-Mechanical Properties and Root Architecture of Plants for Soil Reinforcement

Plant helps to stabilize the masses of soil via hydrological and mechanical means. The effects of vegetation on soil depend on the overall ischolar_main growth, architecture and its hydro-mechanical functions. Three leguminous plants, Leucaena leucocephala, Pterocarpus indicus and Peltophorum pterocarpum were evaluated in terms of their hydro-mechanical characteristics and ischolar_main architecture for soil reinforcement. The results show that L. leucocephala exhibited the highest hydrological properties such as diurnal transpiration, water absorption capacity and soil matric suction (SMS). Regarding mechanical characteristics, L. leucocephala exhibited the highest ischolar_main tensile strength and cellulosic components in the ischolar_main. Interestingly, L. leucocephala also showed a higher ischolar_main length, volume and tips than Pterocarpus indicus and Peltophorum pterocarpum. The SMS was strongly (r = 0.79) correlated with leaf area index (LAI), indicating that high LAI improved SMS. In conjunction with the cellulosic composition, ischolar_main tensile strength of the species studied was highly correlated with the alpha-cellulose content (r = 0.9) and showed that high alpha-cellulose content of ischolar_mains improved mechanical properties of plants to provide reinforcement in the soil. The highischolar_main tensile strength, ischolar_main cellulosic composition and VH-type ischolar_main of L. leucocephala make the species special for growing as a soil reinforcing plant. In conclusion, L. leucocephala properties revealed that it possessed excellent hydro-mechanical properties and ischolar_main architecture and can be planted on slopes for soil reinforcement.