Soil is critical for food production but can often be poorly managed resulting in erosion and physical degradation. Research I perform ranges from soil stabilisation, physics, and root mechanics, to the development of tools and approaches for the quantification of soil condition. Understanding the services required of soil in the future, and soils ability to deliver these services, will be vital in managing soils to be resilient under changing environmental conditions.
My research also looks into furthering our fundamental understanding of root mechanical properties and what contributes to differences in the plant root properties allowing some species to thrive and others to struggle. Plant roots play a critical role in mechanically stabilising soil with both the roots of trees and finer root systems, such as grasses, having the potential to control and stabilise soil significantly.
Key to all reseach outputs is communication to those able to utilise knowledge gained from research. Knowledge transfer and exchange is something that I am passionate about which has led to representing soils and crops research within the SEFARI Gateway [2]. As part of my research and SEFARI Gateway roles I regularly engage with stakeholders and policy departments to increase awareness of the most relevant ressearch findings.
Root failure mechanisms - Roots enmesh themselves into the soil matrix with stress taken up by roots during failure events, such as landslides. Understanding the way in which stress is taken up by roots will enable better predictions of their contribution to soil stabilisation and resistance of agricultural crops to lodging.
Root biomechanics - The structure of the root tissue underlies the strength and elasticity of plant roots. Lignin and cellulose potentially hold the key to where changes in strength and elasticity, between species, is derived from and one of my key research interests.
Impacts of different root traits - Root hair traits have been shown to increase resource efficiency but they may also increase plant anchorage, increasing soil resistance to failure.Through increasing understanding we are working towards improving soil stabilisation and mitigating potential effects of climate change, reducing soil erosion, and ensuring sustainable food production.
Links:
[1] https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2415-3549
[2] https://sefari.scot/directory-of-expertise/dr-kenneth-loades