Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the anti-erosion potential of taproots and fibrous roots with different diameters in alluvial loess under the concentrated flow.
Materials and methods
A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse. Alluvial loess widely distributed in north China was used for plant growing. Two herbs, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with taproots and tall festuca (Festuca arundinacea) with fibrous roots, were selected for single and mixed planting. Root configuration and soil detachment capacity (Dc) at different depths were measured, then the anti-erosion potential of taproots and fibrous roots with different diameters was analyzed.
Results and discussion
Fibrous roots exhibited greater root length density (RLD) and fine root (0–1 mm) ratio at all depths, while taproots had larger mean diameter and root volume density (RVD). The Dc was reduced by 25.3–56.6% in the presence of roots compared to soil without roots, and the Dc of single fibrous roots treatment was significantly lower than that of single taproots and mixed roots. Whether in soil containing taproots or fibrous roots, Dc was only significantly negatively correlated with the density of very fine roots (< 0.5 mm). In fibrous roots, the direct path coefficient of very fine roots to Dc was significantly higher than that of roots at other diameter classes, while in taproots, the direct path coefficient of coarse roots (> 2 mm) to Dc was highest.
Conclusions
Variations in root diameter (< 0.5, 0.5–1, 1–2, > 2 mm) distribution and root density are important factors contributing to differences in Dc at different depths. In alluvial loess with low clay and high silt content, the high density of very fine roots (< 0.5 mm) in fibrous roots is critical for demonstrating greater anti-erosion potential. The presence of more medium roots (1–2 mm) and coarse roots (> 2 mm) is the main reason for decreasing in the anti-erosion potential of taproots.
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Data availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [Yuanyuan Guo], upon reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Kuoyu Zhao for supplying the experimental soil (Hebei Traffic Planning Design Institute) and Rende Wang (Institute of Geographical Sciences Hebei Academy of Sciences) for the testing of soil physical and chemical properties. Zijian Kang acknowledges support from the Key R & D projects in Hebei Province (19274207D).
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Kang, Z., Lou, G., Guo, Y. et al. The anti-erosion potential of taproots and fibrous roots in alluvial loess of north China: a pot experiment. J Soils Sediments 24, 847–862 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03678-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03678-6