Root Distribution and Root Cohesion of Two Herbaceous Plants in the Loess Plateau of China

Guo

et al. 2023

PeerJ

Background To solve the withering of Hippophae rhamnoides plantation in the feldspathic sandstone areas of Inner Mongolia and to promote the regeneration, rejuvenation, and sustainability of H. rhamnoides forests. Methods We stumped aging H. rhamnoides trees at the ground heights of 0, 10, 15, and 20 cm (S1, S2, S3, and S4, respectively) and utilized unstumped trees as the control (CK). We then analyzed the effects of the different stump heights on the roots and the root microenvironment of H. rhamnoides and the relationship between the roots and the root microenvironment in the stumped H. rhamnoides. Results The root fractal features, root branching rate, root length, root soluble proteins, soil moisture content, and soil nutrients among the different treatments were ranked as S3>S2>S1>S4>CK (P < 0.05). The root topological index, root proline, and malondialdehyde among the different treatments were ranked as S3<S2<S1<S4<CK (P < 0.05). The topological indices of S1, S2, S3, S4, and CK were 0.80, 0.86, 0.89, 0.94, and 0.98, respectively, and all were near 1. This result indicated a typical fishtail-shaped branching structure. The root length and root fractal dimensions were primarily affected by the positive correlation of the soil moisture content and the soil organic matter, and the root topological index was primarily affected by the negative correlation of the root proline. Root nutrients were dominant in the changes in the root architecture, while soil moisture and nutrients played supporting roles. These results indicated that stumping can promote plant root growth and root nutrient accumulation, thereby improving soil moisture and the soil nutrient distribution, and the S3 treatment had the greatest impact on the H. rhamnoides roots and root microenvironment. Therefore, the 15 cm stump height treatment should be implemented for withering H. rhamnoides in feldspathic sandstone areas to promote vegetation restoration.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Relationship between the roots of Hippophae rhamnoides at different stump heights and the root microenvironment in feldspathic sandstone areas

Guo

et al. 2023

PeerJ

“…In the analysis of soil micromorphological elements, particles larger than 2μm are skeletal particles, which are mineral in composition and consist mainly of biotite tired rock particles formed during the formation of theparent rock or soil [24,47,48]. The skeletal particles are stable and are a component of the soil that does not move or change easily and whose composition is not likely to change in a short period of time under the influence of plant cultivation [20,[49][50][51][52]. By observing the micromorphological characteristics of the different treatments at 500 μm, although the composition and properties of the skeletal particles do not change, there are very clear differences in their distribution.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the mechanism of plant root protection for soil slope stability

Cao,

Zhang,

Chen

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

In order to investigate the impact of herbaceous root development on soil slope stability in expansive soil areas, the research was conducted in the soil slope experimental area of Yaoshi Town, Shangzhou District, Shangluo City. Three types of herbaceous plants, namely Lolium perenne, Medicago, and Cynodon dactylon, were planted to examine their influence on slope stability. The results indicated that Lolium perenne had significantly higher root length density and root surface area density compared to Cynodon dactylon and Medicago. However, the root weight density of Cynodon dactylon was found to be highest. The roots of Lolium perenne, Cynodon dactylon, and Medicago were predominantly observed in diameter ranges of 0 < L ≤ 1.0 mm, 0 < L ≤ 2.5 mm, and 2.5 < L ≤ 3.0 mm, respectively. The roots of herbaceous plants have the ability to enhance water retention in soil, resist hydraulic erosion of slope soil, and reduce soil shrinkage and swelling. During the initial phase of herbaceous planting, there is an accelerated process of organic carbon mineralization in the soil. The roots of herbaceous plants play a crucial role in soil consolidation and slope protection. They achieve this by dispersing large clastic particles, binding small particles together, altering soil porosity, enhancing soil water retention, and reducing soil water infiltration. It was found that Lolium perenne and Medicago, which have well-developed roots, exhibited superior slope protection effects. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding for the implementation of green ecological protection technology on soil slopes.

“…Moreover, the processes and characteristics of the response to axial cyclic loading also differ. Clarifying the strength and deformation characteristics of the root systems of various plants under cyclic loading in commonly used soil and water conservation species is critical for evaluating the soil reinforcement and erosion resistance of plants and for controlling soil erosion 19 , 20 . It is also an important tool for explaining the ecological succession of plant communities and the ecological benefits of plantation forestry in terms of plant root erosion resistance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyclic loading changes the taproot's tensile properties and reinforces the soil via the shrub's taproot in semi-arid areas, China

Hu,

Zhang,

Yan

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

This study aimed to reveal the soil reinforcement by shrub root systems after repeated stress from external forces, such as high winds and runoff, for extended periods in the wind-hydraulic compound erosion zone. Using the widely distributed Shandong mine area soil and water-conserving plant species, Caragana microphylla, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Artemisia ordosica, cyclic loading tests were conducted on taproots of the three plant species (1–5 mm diameter) via a TY8000 servo-type machine to investigate the taproots’ tensile properties response to repeated loading–unloading using simulated high wind pulling and runoff scouring. Our study revealed that the tensile force was positively correlated with the root diameter but the tensile strength was negatively correlated under monotonic and cyclic loading of the three plants’ taproots. However, after cyclic loading, the three plant species' taproots significantly enhanced the tensile force and strength more than monotonic loading (P < 0.05). The taproot force–displacement hysteresis curves of the three plant species revealed obvious cyclic characteristics. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that root diameter and damage method directly affected the taproots' survival rate, reflecting their sustainable soil reinforcement capacity. The damage method significantly influenced the soil reinforcement more than the root diameter. Our findings reveal that the plant species' taproots can adapt more to the external environment and enhance their resistance to erosion after natural low perimeter erosion damage, effectively inducing soil reinforcement. Particularly, the taproots of Caragana microphylla have superior soil-fixing ability and can be used for ecological restoration.