Research on the interaction between roots and soil of adaptable plants pyracantha in the karst region

Abstract: To explore the adaptable plants soil reinforcement effects in the karst region of southwest China. A horizontal pull friction test was performed on the roots and soil by using a three-year-old shrub Pyracantha, and the friction characteristics of root-soil interface were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and interference method. The results indicated that :(1) the root system of pyracantha showed two failure modes in the pull-out test: the pull-out friction of root-soil interface increases with the increase of root diameter and vertical load. (2) When gravel content is set at 0, 10%, 30% and 50%, the frictional force between root and soil tends to decrease. (3) There was a positive correlation between root surface roughness and root diameter in diameter range of 1-6mm, with correlation coefficient R =0.995. (4) There is an obvious correlation between root-soil friction and roughness. These results are significant to further explore the mechanical mechanism of plant root-soil interaction, and to strengthen the shallow soil and repair the fragile ecological environment.

Key words: Karst; Pyracantha; Root-soil friction; Roughness