The root morphology of the main shrub species in the arsenic sandstone area was quantitatively studied to explore which soil and water conservation plants could effectively resist the composite erosion of the arsenic sandstone area

and the shrub species Hippophae rhamnoides L.、Ziziphusjuba M.、Forsythia suspensa V.、Xanthoceras sorbifolium B.

Rosaxanthina L. and Amygdalus mongolica R. was the research object

and the root distribution range

geometric morphology

topological index

mechanical characteristics of a single root

and dimensionality reduction were comprehensively analyzed

and shrub plants with good soil consolidation effect in arsenic sandstone area were screened. The results showed that: (1) Oblique roots were the main ones for Xanthoceras sorbifolium B. and Forsythia suspensa V.

while horizontal roots were dominated by Hippophae rhamnoides L.

Ziziphusjuba M.

Rosaxanthina L. and Amygdalus mongolica R.; Thin roots and long roots

Xanthoceras sorbifolium B. (2 368.54 cm)＞Hippophae rhamnoides L. (1 746.12 cm)＞Rosaxanthina L. (1 463.15 cm)＞ Amygdalus mongolica R. (1 162.81 cm)＞ Ziziphusjuba M. (928.69 cm)＞ Forsythia suspensa V. (817.45 cm)

longythia topological index of 0.54 and fork-shaped branch structure

forsythia topological index of 0.71 and fishtail-shaped branching structure. (2) Average tensile strength of roots

Xanthoceras sorbifolium B. (30.45 MPa)＞Rosaxanthina L. (18.21 MPa)＞Forsythia suspensa V. (17.03 MPa)＞Amygdalus mongolica R. (16.62 MPa)＞Ziziphusjuba M. (16.34 MPa)＞Hippophae rhamnoides L. (15.35 MPa). Based on the principal component analysis method

the root soil consolidation effect of different shrub species was compared

and the comprehensive principal component index of theXanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge.reached 2.28

which was the best comprehensive soil consolidation effect

which could selectsuitable soil conservation shrubs for sandstone areas and provide theoretical reference for the sustainable development of shrub forests in this area.