Drying of fibrous roots strengthens the negative power relation between biomechanical properties and diameter

Abstract Aims Test the effects of root drying on biomechanical properties fibrous roots. Methods Tensile strength and Young’s modulus Festuca arundinacea roots were tested after full hydration during progressive drying. Root diameter, water loss, content measured for all treatments. Results Hydrated showed weak relations between diameter. After only 30 min air-drying, both tensile increased significantly in thin (< 1 mm) 60 drying, a negative power relation with The maximum values recorded respectively three- four-times greater than hydrated Strength rapidly when dropped below 0.70 g ?1 . These changes result diameter shrinkage up to 50% driven by loss 0.7 Conclusions largely We suggest controlling moisture testing fully as standard protocol, given that slope instability is generally caused heavy rainfall events matric suction.