INNOVATIVE FUNGI-MEDIATED SOIL EROSION CONTROL FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Abstract

This research encompasses a comprehensive examination of various methods to enhance soil stability and reduce soil erosion using fungal inoculation and organic substrates. The study investigates the impact of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) on soil erosion control across different soil types, treatments, and environmental conditions. In the first experiment, the focus is on the effects of P. ostreatus inoculation on fine and coarse sand to mitigate rainfall erosion. The inoculation methods, either on the top or bottom of the soil layer, were assessed over a 20-day growth period followed by simulated rainfall to evaluate erosion resistance. Post-growth cycles were implemented to examine resilience. Techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), contact angle tests, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the structural and chemical properties contributing to the enhanced erosion resistance, particularly in coarse sand treated with bottom-inoculated mycelium. The second experiment extends the study by integrating fungal (spores) treatments with calcium chloride (CaCl2) to combat wind erosion in fine sand and expose them to various heat cycles. Thirteen samples, including control and experimental groups, were analyzed. The experimental samples incorporated wheat straw and wheat bran substrates with varying CaCl2 concentrations. Results indicated that fungal growth supplemented with 1% CaCl2 significantly improved wind erosion resistance and soil stability, as evidenced by SEM, EDS, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and FTIR analyses. The third chapter explores the use of mixed organic substrates—wheat straw, wheat bran, and rice hulls—in conjunction with fungal treatments to bolster soil stability during wildfire wind erosion cycles. Eight specimens were prepared and subjected to fire cycles before wind tunnel testing. Macroanalyses (water repellency and contact angle measurements) and microanalyses (FTIR, TGA, SEM) highlighted the thermal stability and erosion resistance of the samples. Wheat bran-treated with rice hulls samples showed superior performance, attributed to its favorable nutrients for fungal growth, while the rice hulls control, despite their silica content, did not markedly enhance stability. Overall, this study underscores the potential of combining organic substrates and fungal treatments to enhance soil stability and erosion resistance under various environmental conditions, offering promising strategies for sustainable soil management.