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 (R2 = 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.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
