How do soil mechanical properties, root tip geometry, soil texture, and root exudate (mucilage) affect penetration resistance to root growth?

This dataset contains experimental and analytical results from my PhD on how soil water content, density, mucilage, and root-tip geometry influence penetration resistance. Chapter 3 includes penetration resistance measurements for varying water contents and mucilage concentrations using two needle geometries, supported by energy analyses and cavity expansion model outputs. Chapter 4 provides penetration resistance and energy data for chia and flax mucilage in loamy sand and loam soils. Chapter 5 includes datasets comparing mixed and injected mucilage in sandy loam soil, with corresponding energy calculations. All chapters include raw rheometer data and R-code for statistical testing.