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Hydrological and mechanical properties of plants to predict suitable legume species for reinforcing soil

  • Article
  • Ecology
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Plants have considerable hydrological and mechanical impacts on soil. However, there are lack of documentation and limited understanding on the hydrological and mechanical impacts of tropical legume trees. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the hydrological and mechanical properties of three selected legume plants, Leucaena leucocephala, Adenanthera pavonina and Peltophorum pterocarpum. Regarding hydrological aspect, the study results indicated that soil on which the L. leucocephala was grown had the highest transpiration rate, water absorption rate (WAR) and soil matric suction (SMS). In terms of mechanical characteristics, L. leucocephala exhibited the highest root tensile strength and cellulosic components in the root. Interestingly, L. leucocephala also showed a higher root biomass, root length and fine roots than A. pavonina and P. pterocarpum. The leaf area index (LAI) strongly correlated with SMS (R 2 = 0.74), indicating that high LAI improved SMS. The high root tensile strength and fine roots of L. leucocephala make this species special for growing as a soil reinforcing plant. Overall results suggested that L. leucocephala exhibited outstanding hydrological and mechanical properties and can be a potential plant for the soil reinforcement program.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG-PV052-2011A, RG042-09SUS and RG120-11SUS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mohammed Saifuddin & Normaniza Osman

Authors
  1. Mohammed Saifuddin
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  2. Normaniza Osman
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Correspondence to Mohammed Saifuddin.

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Saifuddin, M., Osman, N. Hydrological and mechanical properties of plants to predict suitable legume species for reinforcing soil. Chin. Sci. Bull. 59, 5123–5128 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0391-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0391-6

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