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Mohammed Saifuddin ¹, Normaniza Osman ²

Affiliations
1 Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpu, MY
2 Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MY

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Cellulosic Composition, Mechanical Characteristics, Root Length, Tensile Strength, Soil Reinforcement.

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Mohammed Saifuddin ¹, Normaniza Osman ¹, M. Motior Rahman ², Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, MY
2 University Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, MX

Abstract

Vegetation is an essential tool to reinforce soil and improve slope stability. Two legume species, lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala) and copperpod (Peltophorum pterocarpum), were tested in terms of their capacity for soil reinforcement using a modified laboratory shear box. In addition, morphological parameters of the plant and ischolar_main tensile strength were measured, while ischolar_main composition also was analysed. Root system significantly contributed to increase the shear strength and residual strength of soil. The soil-ischolar_main matrix of both species significantly affected the cohesion but not the angle of friction. Overall effects varied with soil depth and plant species. Lead tree showed higher soil shear strength and residual strength compared to copperpod. It also exhibited higher ischolar_main biomass, ischolar_main length, fine ischolar_mains, ischolar_main tensile strength and concentration of cellulosic components in ischolar_main than copperpod, indicating a higher contribution to soil-ischolar_main matrix, soil shear strength and soil reinforcement. A positive correlation (r = 0.99) was observed between ischolar_main biomass and soil shear strength of the species studied. Likewise, ischolar_main cellulosic components and soil shear strength were positively correlated. Overall, lead tree exhibited exceptional ischolar_main profiles and mechanical properties and can be the best suited plant for soil reinforcement.

Keywords

Cellulosic Components, Root Biomass, Soil Reinforcement, Shear Strength, Tensile Strength.

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