Articles | Volume 1, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-603-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-603-2015
Review article
 | 
08 Sep 2015
Review article |  | 08 Sep 2015

Can we manipulate root system architecture to control soil erosion?

A. Ola, I. C. Dodd, and J. N. Quinton

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Cited articles

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Short summary
Plant roots are crucial in soil erosion control. Moreover, some species respond to nutrient-rich patches by lateral root proliferation. At the soil surface dense mats of roots may block soil pores thereby limiting infiltration, enhancing runoff; whereas at depth local increases in shear strength may reinforce soils at the shear plane. This review considers the potential of manipulating plant roots to control erosion.