Preliminary soil characteristics and growth performance of selected shrub plants for bio-engineering technique

Abstract This study presents the preliminary results of physicochemical characteristics soil taken from slope bio-engineering study. The would be used as a medium for growth selected shrub species namely Strobilanthes crispa (SC), Pseuderanthemum carruthers (PC) , Tabernaemontana divaricata (TD), and Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis (HR). Soil was prepared in 3:2:1 ratio (soil: organic fertilizer: sand). plant-cutting technique adopted planted polybags. performance (height, number leaves, chlorophyll, leaf area) these monitored on monthly basis up to three months. result showed that pH, matter moisture content ranged 4.15 5.23, 4.29% 7.96% 16.1% 62.93%, respectively. specific gravity porosity 2.66 2.70 58.48% 60.83%, respectively with clay loam textures. SC TD high mortality rates, only 28% 50% still alive. However, PC HR had low 98% 96% cuttings surviving, recorded highest plant 30.63 cm followed by (27.94 cm), (25.32 cm) (22.36 cm). also leaves 23 individuals. leave area mean 23.61 2 (23.2 ), (14.43 2) (13.28 ). chlorophyll value 46.62 (45.23), (35.87) (32.79). In conclusion, good among studied species. These findings suggested all have potential biological material erosion protection, some treatment required better outcomes.