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Tensile Strength of Bamboo after Five Years of Tropical Subaerial Exposure following Cold-Water Starch Dissolution
Published in Mark Anglin Harris, Confronting Global Climate Change, 2019
As a tropical invasive species, Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo) can be continuously re-harvested every three years, without causing damage to the plant system and surrounding environment (Harris and Koomson 2015). During the short time it takes to regenerate, the bamboo plant’s root system continues to prevent erosion, as it remains viable. Though aggressively invasive, bamboo protects soils in several ways. The thick, vertically extending canopy, often up to 15 meters high (Wahab et al. 2009) increases the protection of the soil from heavy, intense tropical rains. Rapid horizontal proliferation in the first year of up to four meters (Wahab et al. 2009) and its fibrous root system renders bamboo quite effective in conserving soil in ravines (Zhou et al. 2005). The fast growth and recuperative powers of bamboo sustainably protects these fragile tropical soil systems. The rapid lateral extension of the fibrous root system of the bamboo, being a grass, binds soil particles on hill slopes and riverbanks under a humid tropical climate, thereby greatly restricting down-slope soil erosion (Zhou et al. 2005). This reduces landslips and prevents the influx of nutrients and clay colloids into rivers and lakes where they can harm the ecosystem. Further, as a potentially rapid colonizer of anthropologically disturbed land, bamboo can pre-empt exacerbations of such disturbances and reduce global warming by quickly preparing disturbed land for reforestation by higher plants. Thus Bambusa vulgaris is planted for erosion control (Pande et al. 2012), stitching the soil together along fragile riverbanks, deforested areas and in places prone to mud slides.
Soils with Problems Due to Anthropogenic Reasons (Degraded Soils)
Published in Manorama K.C. Thampatti, Problem Soils, 2023
Agrostological measures: Suitable grass species preferably fodder grass is planted in rows across the slope. It can also be planted on the berm of the bunds. The fibrous root system of grass will offer better protection of the top soil and filter the run off to trap the sediments. Well established grass species reduces erosion by moderating the impact of raindrops and also increases the infiltration opportunity time. The grass thus planted could be used as fodder for livestock, which could also be an alternate source of income to the farming community.
Phytoremediation Effect and Growth Responses of Cynodon spp. and Agropyron desertorum in a Petroleum-Contaminated Soil
Published in Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 2018
Zahra Saraeian, Maryam Haghighi, Nematollah Etemadi, Mohammad Ali HajAbbasi, Majid Afyuni
Optimal execution of a phytoremediation system is based on an appropriate plant selection as in the polluted sites, the combined stress of nutrient deficiency and chemical toxicity are imposed on growing plants (Afzal et al., 2011; Gerhardt et al., 2009), leading to a reduction in plant growth and biomass (Besalatpour et al., 2010; Peng et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2011). Studies have shown that grasses are suitable phytoremediators because of their branched fibrous root system and large surface area for root–soil contact (Brandt et al., 2006; Gan et al., 2009; Lee et al., 2008). Similarly, Olson et al. (2007) found that in aged PAH-polluted soil, Poaceae (grasses) was the most effective family for PAH removal, among eight tested families.
Profiling of plants at petroleum contaminated site for phytoremediation
Published in International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2018
Raymond Oriebe Anyasi, Harrison Ifeanyichukwu Atagana
Most of the plants that have been successfully used in the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with organic compounds possess fibrous root systems (McGuinness and Dowling 2009; Van Aken et al.2010; Idris et al.2016). The reason is that the fibrous root system is known to support high colonization of soil microorganism, due to the large surface area it generates. It also provides more surface area for absorption materials from the soil. This quality of plants can be used for cleaning a petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated environment (Tanhan et al.2011). However, the plants identified in this study were not legumes or grasses, although they do possess extensive fibrous root systems and also have profuse growth habits.
Evaluating the bio-removal of crude oil by vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) in interaction with bacterial consortium exposed to contaminated artificial soils
Published in International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2022
Zahra Kiamarsi, Mohammad Kafi, Mohsen Soleimani, Ahmad Nezami, Stanley Lutts
Plant-bacteria partnership often implies a synergistic effect with benefits for each partner. Plant’s root contributes to degrade organic compounds by improving contact between soil, pollutants, and microorganisms. It has been shown that the bioremediation of PAHs by bacteria could be stimulated by root exudates. Also, root turnover creates an active biological zone by supplying readily available organic matters that would increase bacterial growth (Yu et al.2011). A long and branching capacity of fibrous root system explores a large volume of soil and is more suitable than a taproot system for pollutant removal (Aprill and Sims 1990). From this perspective, vetiver is an ideal choice to remediate contaminated sites.