Quantitative measurements of root growth on buried stems of four euryoecious species adequate for soil bioengineering in Portugal and Mediterranean region

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4. Quantitative measurements of root growth on buried stems of four euryoecious species adequate for soil bioengineering in Portugal and Mediterranean region

The paper describes adventitious rooting tests for four species of the Portugal mainland flora with a wide territorial distribution (Fraxinus angustifolia, Sambucus nigra, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Viburnum tinus). The objective of the study is to verify the suitability of the roots and buried stems of these species to soil reinforcement, in order to apply these results to soil bioengineering and ecological restoration projects in Mediterranean environment. Five experimental plots, with different soil characteristics, were settled in Lisbon and Santo Tirso (Porto district), simulating a live crib wall structure. Small rooted plants were installed in individual bags to make their extraction easier and to have the same available soil volume. After 26 months a destructive analysis was carried out, obtaining measurements of root systems and above ground elements, namely geometric dimensions and mass in term of dry weight. All species showed a positive response to stem burying, as all live plants produced adventitious roots on the buried stems and new roots sprouted from the original root-ball. Relevant quantities of adventitious and new roots were able to reinforce soil. These species, that showed ability to be used in any soil bioengineering project in Mediterranean environment, had already been used in Portugal in soil bioengineering projects carried out near Lisbon. Significant dependencies of plant parameters on plot or on species factors were found, as well as significant correlations were detected between above ground and below ground parameters of new roots.

3rd International Workshop on Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interaction (RootS2025)

2b. Field scale characterisation of the bio-hydro-chemo-mechanical behaviour of rooted soils