Role of Trichoderma Virens mycelium in enhancing erosion resistance of low plasticity silt

Conventional techniques for soil erosion control often rely on the use of cementing additives and coating agents to improve shear strength, minimize particle movement, and increase soil water repellency. These chemical agents, however, involve energy intensive production and treatment processes and can cause significant environmental impacts. Recent studies have demonstrated that fungal mycelium (a root-like three-dimensional structure of fungi) can extend through soil pores and secrete strong hydrophobic compounds, binding soil particles together and increasing soil water repellency at the soil surface. This study investigated the effect of fungal mycelium on the erosion resistance of a low plasticity silt for potential soil erosion mitigation. Water dripping tests were conducted on untreated and fungal-treated specimens under various conditions, including different fungal growth durations, void ratios, water dripping rates, and desiccation condition. Untreated specimen exhibited a 45% soil mass loss and 10.5 mm of erosion depth after one hour of water dripping. In contrast, fungal-treated specimens showed no loss of soil mass and 4 to 5 mm of erosion depths after four hours of water dripping. Furthermore, fungal mycelium remained effective in erosion resistance even after 30 days of desiccation at 60 °C.