Experiments and FE-analysis of 2-D root-soil contact problems based on node-to-segment approach

Tomobe, Haruka; Fujisawa, Kazunori; Murakami, Akira

doi:10.1016/j.sandf.2019.08.003

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The mechanical impedance of the plant–soil interface has also been estimated by measuring the normal stress on the surface of a penetrometer cone, the cone semi-angle, and the coefficient of soil–object friction to approximate the behavior of a root 17 , 18 . Building on these pioneering studies, recent engineering approaches using the finite element method (FEM) have enabled the analyses of parameters dictating root penetration 23 – 25 . However, simple mathematical equations that reflect important root and soil parameters have not been investigated except in a recent work 26 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A mechanical theory of competition between plant root growth and soil pressure reveals a potential mechanism of root penetration

Tomobe

Tsugawa

Yoshida

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Root penetration into the soil is essential for plants to access water and nutrients, as well as to mechanically support aboveground structures. This requires a combination of healthy plant growth, adequate soil mechanical properties, and compatible plant–soil interactions. Despite the current knowledge of the static rheology driving the interactions at the root–soil interface, few theoretical approaches have attempted to describe root penetration with dynamic rheology. In this work, we experimentally showed that radish roots in contact with soil of specific density during a specific growth stage fail to penetrate the soil. To explore the mechanism of root penetration into the soil, we constructed a theoretical model to explore the relevant conditions amenable to root entry into the soil. The theory indicates that dimensionless parameters such as root growth anisotropy, static root–soil competition, and dynamic root–soil competition are important for root penetration. The consequent theoretical expectations were supported by finite element analysis, and a potential mechanism of root penetration into the soil is discussed.

show abstract