Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Optimized Method for Cultivation and Microbial Bioaugmentation of Typha latifolia (Cattail)
Published on: July 25, 2025
Organic amendments for slope bioengineering: Enhanced Melastoma malabathricum establishment and growth
Wan Nurul Atiqah Wan Mohamed1, Normaniza Osman1, Rosazlin Abdullah2
1Insitute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala, Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Slope bioengineering using vegetation is a promising solution for erosion problems by leveraging the benefits of rainfall interception and soil reinforcement, yet the combined effects of organic amendments on plant establishment and soil mechanical reinforcement remain poorly understood, particularly in tropical regions.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of three organic amendments; biochar, compost, and vermicompost, on the growth of M. malabathricum and the subsequent effects on slope erosion.
Methods:
A nine-month randomised complete block design (RCBD) comprising five treatments (control, inorganic fertiliser, and 20 t/ha of biochar, compost, or vermicompost). Plant growth, physiological performance, soil physico-chemical properties, root traits, soil shear strength, and erosion were evaluated to assess the influence of each amendment on slope stability.
Results:
In this study, two principal outcomes were observed. First, soil shear strength showed a strong inverse relationship with erosion, confirming that improved mechanical resistance directly reduces soil loss. Second, increased root length density, higher shoot dry weight, greater plant height, and lower soil moisture content were all positively associated with enhanced shear strength and reduced erosion through correlation analysis. Vermicompost consistently outperformed other amendments by significantly increasing plant height, stem diameter, root length density, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate. It also produced the lowest erosion rate and achieved a 34% increase in soil shear strength relative to the control. Nutrient uptake played a central role in supporting shoot growth and root development, especially under organic amendments.
Conclusion:
Vermicompost demonstrated the strongest ability to enhance soil-root reinforcement mechanisms during early establishment, offering substantial potential for strengthening nature-based slope bioengineering strategies in tropical environments.
