ABSTRACT
Soil erosion is a worldwide challenge resulting
to the loss oflives and properties. In Southeastern region ofNigeria, the soil
is prone to movement due to its geological characteristics, heavy rainfall, and
other environmental and anthropogenic factors. Vegetation is recognized as a sustainable
material which can be used for stabilizing soil and reducing erosion. However,
most vegetated slopes and soil also fail during heavy rainfall events. This
study therefore, examines the effect ofseasonal variations on the mechanical
properties ofvegetations used for sustainable erosion control. The roots oftwo
different plant species Mangifera indica (tree) and Pennisetum purpureum
(grass) were sampled from a field at Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture,
Umudike. The mechanical properties ofthese roots were tested using the
Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at National Centre for Agricultural
Mechanization (NCAM). The thinner roots showed signs of gradual drying, but
the' larger roots were able to retain moisture for a considerable amount oftime.
This could explain why the Pennisetum purpureum which is a grass roots had more
water content compared with the Mangifera indica which is a tree root. For the
Pennisetum purpureum the water loss after 30 min drying range between 51% to
19%, whereas the water loss increased from 70% - 22% after 1 hour and further
increased ranging from 0.79% - 30% after 24 hours drying. The tensile strength
ofthe roots was-determined after different drying periods (Omins (hydrated), 30
minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours) to signify real life drying ofthe roots due to
dehydration ofsoil. The mean ofthe root tensile strength ofthe Mangifera indica
(17.41 MPa (hydrated), 18.93 MPa (30 mins dry), 21.84 MPa (1 . hour dry), 34.10
MPa (24 dry)) was higher greater than the Pennisetum purpureum with 5.30 MPa
(hydrated roots), 12.49 MPa (roots dried for 30 mins), 17.13 MPa (roots dried
for 1 hour). The result from the study show that the root tensile strength
increased progressively upon root drying. Hence the study hypothesizes that as
the soil get drier, there is an opportunity for the tensile strength ofthe root
to increase. However, in intense rainfall, the root tensile strength reduces
which makes the soil susceptible to erosion. Therefore, tensile strength ofthe
hydrated roots should be used when modelling its contribution to soil strength,
this is because the soil is more susceptible to fail when saturated.
JOSEPH, D (2025). Use Of Vegetation For Control: The Effect Of Wet And Dry Season On Stability Of Vegetated Soil:- Nwoye, Joseph D. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Apr 02, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/use-of-vegetation-for-control-the-effect-of-wet-and-dry-season-on-stability-of-vegetated-soil-nwoye-joseph-d-7-2
DONATUS, JOSEPH. "Use Of Vegetation For Control: The Effect Of Wet And Dry Season On Stability Of Vegetated Soil:- Nwoye, Joseph D" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Mar. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/use-of-vegetation-for-control-the-effect-of-wet-and-dry-season-on-stability-of-vegetated-soil-nwoye-joseph-d-7-2. Accessed 02 Apr. 2025.
DONATUS, JOSEPH. "Use Of Vegetation For Control: The Effect Of Wet And Dry Season On Stability Of Vegetated Soil:- Nwoye, Joseph D". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Mar. 2025. Web. 02 Apr. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/use-of-vegetation-for-control-the-effect-of-wet-and-dry-season-on-stability-of-vegetated-soil-nwoye-joseph-d-7-2 >.
DONATUS, JOSEPH. "Use Of Vegetation For Control: The Effect Of Wet And Dry Season On Stability Of Vegetated Soil:- Nwoye, Joseph D" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2025). Accessed 02 Apr. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/use-of-vegetation-for-control-the-effect-of-wet-and-dry-season-on-stability-of-vegetated-soil-nwoye-joseph-d-7-2