AimsHigh root tensile strength (RTS) is crucial for tree stability, windthrow resistance, soil reinforcement, and erosion control. However, RTS varies across species, and the underlying causes remain poorly understood. RTS is directly linked to anatomical structure and fiber morphology, which influence its resistance to stress. This study explores the relationship between xylem anatomy and RTS in four broadleaved species-Acer velutinum, Fagus orientalis, Quercus castaneifolia, and Carpinus betulus-from the Hyrcanian forests of Iran.MethodsRTS was measured, and fiber biometry, including fiber length, width, lumen width, and wall thickness, was quantified on macerated fibers. Vessel lumen fraction was also assessed through microscopic examination of root cross-sections.ResultsA. velutinum (Persian maple) exhibited the highest RTS, while F. orientalis displayed the lowest. A negative power relationship was observed between root diameter and RTS. Among fiber traits, fiber length and width had the strongest positive influence on RTS. Persian maple, as the species with strongest root, possessed the longest and widest fibers. Conversely, F. orientalis, the weakest one, displayed the shortest and thinnest fibers with the most robust cell walls. The relationship between quantitative vascular features of xylem and RTS was inconclusive, across species.ConclusionThis study revealed the complex interplay between xylem anatomical traits and RTS. Fiber characteristics, particularly a dense network of long, wide, and more flexible fibers, were found to strengthen root. Further research should explore the interplay of multiple anatomical features to provide a comprehensive understanding of RTS.

In sugarcane cultivation, agricultural mechanization causes soil compaction, with a consequent decrease in the yield and longevity of the sugarcane fields. Mechanized harvesting operations can promote soil compaction during the first plant cycle. The aim of this study was to identify the critical mechanized harvesting operation for soil compaction through the analysis of the field soil mechanical resistance to penetration, modelling the spatial distribution and quantifying the effects on the yield of the subsequent crop cycle. The study was conducted in an area covered by Latossolo Vermelho in the Brazilian Cerrado, and the experiment used a randomized block design with seven plots and three replicates. The plots were constructed based on the operating conditions of the following machinery: a track harvester; a tractor and three-axis trailer set; a combination of the track harvester, tractor and three-axis trailer; and maintenance, fire and convoy trucks. In addition, manual harvesting was evaluated as a reference for the soil structure and production potential. The pressures exerted on the soil by the machinery were estimated using Tyres-Tracks and Soil Compaction (TASC), and the impacts of the traffic were evaluated in two evaluation regions: the traffic lane and the planting row. The soil resistance to penetration (SRP) was measured with an automatic penetrometer. The measurements were recorded perpendicular to the traffic lane every 0.08 m at a horizontal distance of 1.52 m up to a depth of 0.50 m, with the water content in the soil profile close to the field capacity. Maps of the spatial variabilities in the SRP in the traffic lane and in the planting row were estimated via ordinary kriging and indicator kriging, respectively. The dissipation of the stresses exerted at the soil-wheel interface was confirmed by the spatial variability maps; these maps showed the high predictive capacity of the TASC tool. The fire truck generated the largest increase in the soil compaction in the traffic lane. Based on the analysis of the percentage of the affected soil profile area, the tractor and trailer dissipated the load to the restrictive values of the SRP both at depth and near the planting row. Consequently, a reduction in soil volume was observed but was not the physical limiting factor for crop development, and greater yield losses occurred in the subsequent cycle. For this reason, transportation operations (the tractor and trailer set) were considered the critical sugarcane harvesting operations; moreover, due to the combination of the track harvester, tractor and three-axis trailer, 60% of the impacted area exhibited mechanical resistance to penetration exceeding 2.5 MPa and likely restricting the root development. In addition, support truck traffic could damage the soil structure. Thus, the machine traffic in sugarcane areas could exacerbate productivity losses caused by the soil compaction.

Bamboo is already a convenient construction resource, as it offers an efficient structural performance. As this plant has native varieties adapted to different climates and soils of Brazil, bamboo silviculture can be intensified to supply the national industry. Three bamboo species from Brazil (Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa tuldoides, and Phyllostachys aurea) were analyzed for the flexural load capacity applied on the internal and external surfaces. Specimens were prepared without knots and with knots centered at the middle of each sample. In total, 240 samples were tested in terms of static bending and dynamic bending (impact). The results showed a higher flexural elasticity and a higher proportional limit strength of knotted P. aurea. The presence of knots provided higher values of ultimate strength in P. aurea, even reducing the bamboo flexibility. Also, P. aurea exhibited the best characteristic of flexural dynamic energy absorption among the three bamboo species under evaluation.

The underutilization of natural waste from date palm plantation maintenance presents an opportunity for the production of sustainable building materials. This study investigates the mechanical properties and environmental sustainability of adobe bricks reinforced with date palm waste (DPW) and a small percentage of cement. Adobe bricks were stabilized using 7% cement by weight and varying proportions of DPW (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight), followed by curing under two distinct conditions: moist storage (MS) and open-air (AF). It was observed that bricks cured under MS conditions significantly outperformed those cured in AF, evidenced by a 47.05% reduction in capillary absorption coefficient compared to the reference brick. Despite a decrease in compressive strength due to DPW incorporation, the bricks exhibited increases in capillary and total absorption while still satisfying earth construction standards. Notably, flexural strength improved by 41.66% under MS curing. Enhanced erosion and abrasion resistance, as well as improved performance throughout wetting/drying cycles, were also recorded. These enhancements underscore the potential of DPW as a renewable additive in the formulation of adobe bricks for ecological and durable housing. The study not only proposes a novel use for date palm byproducts but also contributes to the advancement of environmentally -friendly construction methodologies.