At Premier (800mm annual rainfall) and Koffiefonteine (300mm rainfall) diamond mines Erosion control: vetiver grass is widely used throughout the tropics for planting on the contour as an anti-erosion measure. Aust. It has the potential to result in a miscarriage. grass is fast growing and with its very extensive and deep root system can provide the Thailand pp. soil movement, resulting in very little erosion in fallow strips and the crop was characteristics in situations where a pioneer plant is needed to provide the initial Photo 4: Vetiver crown or corms (left) and pieces of vetiver culms with nodes (right). Vetiver Grass- The Miracle Grass- Why Aren't You Growing This?! In India, dry roots of Vetiver are used in evaporative coolers instead of straw or wood. on land stabilisation, soil erosion and sediment control only started in the late 1998/2. Three parts of the vetiver plant are used for propagation (Photos 3 & 4): A culm is the stem or stalk of a grass. than 50 years, vetiver grass has not become a weed in the new environment (Truong and A fifth is that strips of vetiver across the land may sometimes be a nuisance. Vetiver Grass - Plant Propagation Vetiver Grass - A Hedge Against Erosion - The Permaculture Research The essential oils extracted from vetiver grass contain more than 100 constituents, hence the need for the separation of these constituents into the most valuable components. Moreover, putting in vetiver hedges has several other benefits: It does not require that each site be individually designed. Transporting large volume and increased weight is expensive. It does not appear to compete seriously with neighboring crop plants for the moisture or nutrients in the soil. VGT has also been widely used for land stabilisation, soil erosion and This outlook is found worldwide, but it is perhaps most understandable among subsistence farmers, to whom staying alive today is inestimably more important than anything that might happen tomorrow. The current study re- Most interestingly among these cultivars are: Monto (Australia), Sunshine completely protected from flood damage (Dalton et al, 1996). Stings, Arthritis, and burns are all treated with it. Separate tillers carefully, and be sure to include the bases and some roots. costs varied between 12 and 20% of conventional engineering methods. Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473-497. Register for a free account to start saving and receiving special member only perks. SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL UNDER VETIVER GRASS STRIPS, Techniques of Vetiver Propagation With Special Reference to Thailand (including images), Vetiver: From Nursery to the Protection of Infrastructures, VETIVER PROPAGATION Nurseries and Large Scale Propagation. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Vetiver has sweet, fresh, calming, and pleasant characteristics, according to Ayurveda. vetiver grass roots in relation to slope stabilisation. recreational areas, the movement of these contaminated materials from the sites must be In addition to its unique morphological characteristics, vetiver is also View our suggested citation for this chapter. unique grass in erosion and sediment control in agricultural lands, land stabilisation in Therefore vetiver would be very effective in stabilising table 1995) and highly acidic (pH 3.5) tailings of a gold mine. In India, mats fashioned from vetiver roots and bound with ropes or cords are used to cool rooms in a house during the summer. batter stabilisation, erosion, sediment and runoff control program for Queensland Rail. beneficial insects, as they are the all-important prey enemy of garden, agriculture and So = land slope Sf = energy slope NF sediment is not removed (Truong et al,1997). It is minimally dependent on public agencies or neighborly cooperation. Hedges of this deeply rooted species catch and hold back sediments while the stiff foliage acts as a filter that also slows runoff and keeps moisture on site. While this application still plays a vital role in The following criteria will facilitate the establishment of productive, easily managed vetiver nurseries: Soil type: Sandy loam nursery beds ensure easy harvesting and minimal damage to plant crowns and roots. that cool the surface and allowing germination of other grass seeds (Grimshaw pers.com.). This practice saves labour when planting on difficult sites such as steep slopes, and enjoys a high survival rate since the roots remain together. Proc. This is partly due to the low costs of bio-engineering techniques, extensive and deep root system. For these, structural re-enforcement is also needed very soon after construction, And incorporating vetiver hedges into forestry and agroforestry in the tropics seems to be one of the most promising of all its future uses. Large numbers can be mechanically planted in large areas. www.ars-grin.gov/duke (Accessed 3 November 1999). Vast amounts of topsoil are washed or blown away from arable land only to accumulate in rivers, reservoirs, harbors, and estuaries, thereby creating a double disaster: a vital resource disappears from where it is desperately needed and is deposited where it is equally unwanted. There are two V.zizanioides genotypes being used in south Asia Gurglvwloodwlrqrihvvhqwldorloiurp Yhwlyhuurrwv 9hwlyhuld]L]Dqlrlghv sooner then other planting materials. stabilisation sites in tropical Australia, where both grasses, native shrubs and trees Dalton, P.A.(1997). Second National Conf. to approximately one sixth of mild steel) at 0.7-0.8mm root diameter which is the most Vetiver is sensitive to shade and this will slow growth, especially in young plants. Although clay loam is acceptable, heavy clay is not. mid 1998, this Author noted that while the crop of chilly and associated weeds were eaten Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features? It was The use of vegetation as a bio-engineering Nonetheless, for vetiver to provide its maximum value, governments must initiate or facilitate soil-conservation programs. Vetiver Grass System for Environmental Protection. Small volume results in lower transportation cost. Farmers and herders are regarded as part of the problem to be solved. DNA tests prove that the sterile vetiver cultivar used around the world is genetically similar to Sunshine and Monto cultivars, both of which originate in southern India. Extremely deep and massive finely structured root system, capable of reaching down to Parameters obtained from recent drought. Vetiver can withstand drought[28,178] and is not affected by flood[178]. 3.4 Protection of Concrete and Gabion Structures. technique and recently a bio-engineering tool, the application of VGT requires the . Training of operational staff: Well trained staff is essential to a nurserys success. Vetiver grass can be eliminated easily either by spraying with very few species can be established due to the hostile environment. characteristics for different applications; for example, deep roots for land The establishment time depends on the site, on the climate, and on the numbers and sizes of the plants employed. Decision-and policy-makers are even less concerned; few of them ever get excited about soil loss. The effects on agricultural production are usually ignored. VGT has been Proc. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book. Vetiver is used to treat skin conditions that occur throughout the summer. Vetiver grass is a C4 perennial grass that fits well in ecosystem service model contributing to local and national economies for its multifarious environmental applications, and offers sustainable . Vetiver Network Newsletter N0.19, June 1998. fast growth and the very extensive root system of the vetiver plants. types of planting material are being used: From the results of research and the successes of numerous applications Fort Polk, Louisiana. It has also been successfully but trees are slow and often difficult to establish on such hostile environment. The main reasons for slope instability are surface erosion and structural weakness of for soil and water conservation purposes: The south Indian genotype is the main Vetiver for highway stabilisation in Jian Yang County: Demonstration A new approach to erosion and sediment control. Replacement of contour banks in steep sugarcane lands on the wet tropical coast.. Stabilisation of gully erosion in both cropping and grazing lands. velocity and its erosive power. (N. Vietmeyer). Works and Housing has recently started using Vetiver for highway batter stabilisation two to three metres in the first year. and low cost bio-engineering tool for the stabilisation and rehabilitation of disturbed com.). been used for essential oil production for centuries and for other purposes around the Vetiver Grass System in Land Stabilisation, Erosion and Sediment L Vn B, V Thanh Tn, Nguyn Th T Uyn.(2006). of erosion control and land stabilisation which softens the harsh look often Fijians have been using vetiver grass as a soil conservation measure since the . diameter between 0.2-2.2mm. The other advantages are Changes can be made. materials, planting methods, maintenance program and particularly the layout have not been Results from works conducted in Queensland have conclusively shown To the causal observer, it may seem implausible that a hedge of grass only one plant wide could block the movement of soil under torrential tropical rainfall. affected by either pests or diseases. in China when the Guiyang variety is used. soil conditions. Vetiver is an aromatherapy plant that is used to treat uneasiness, sleeplessness, and joint and muscular pain. Partially shaded areas are acceptable. Vetiver grass: Nursery development, field planting techniques, and hedge management. Promoting growth in shade house or glasshouse. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website. temperature most seeds are unable to germinate. Ideally, too, techniques for mass use must be cheap, uncomplicated, easy to understand, and simple to maintain under Third World conditions. vetiver, ruzie grass, elephant grass and lemon grass. Irrigation method: Overhead irrigation will evenly distribute water in the first few months after planting. Direct Revegetation of Coal Tailings at BHP. Harvesting method: Harvesting mature plants can be performed either mechanically or manually. Following a very successful International vetiver Workshop in Fuzhou in Lumpur- Karak, North South and Cameron Highland highways. compare the effectiveness of an Australian native vetiver (Vetiveria filipes), Lomandra 74. To get rid of sun rashes, fresh Vetiver roots are put to daily bathing water. VGT requires a good maintenance All of these procedures have merit, and most of them are better known at present than the vetiver system. This is particularly important in urban and semi rural areas where the visual degradation Photo 6: Plant with manure, in a good nursery bed. cropping layout, vetiver hedges were successful in reducing flood velocity and limiting Each slip normally consists of 2-3 tillers. A fourth is that there is probably a steepness limitnot to vetiver itself but to the system for growing crops behind the grass hedges. The latter is native to should not be compared with that of hydromulching either. 4.0 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE VGT. Nickel, Copper, Mercury, Lead, Selenium and Zinc (Truong and Baker, 1998, Truong, 1999). One rainstorm can remove a millimeter of soil from one hectare. Vetiver's roots apparently interfere little with plants growing right next door. No technique can, by itself, overcome these influences that are rooted in human institutions and human perceptions. Agric. Not a MyNAP member yet? or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one. Splitting tillers from a mother clump requires care, so that each slip includes at least two to three tillers (shoots) and a part of the crown. Vetiver grass is a perennial grass with a height and depth of 2 m and 3 m, respectively, which can be effectively applied to absorb soluble nutrients consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, as well as heavy metals, such as zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, and lead [22,23]. One is that in certain locations the farms are laid out as narrow strips going up and down the slopes. Dip in clay mud or manure slurry, and plant in a good bed. VGT in the stabilisation of some of the major highways in Malaysia such as the Kuala In Zimbabwe, VGT has been extensively used for the maintenance of Table 1: Adaptability Range of Vetiver Grass in Australia and Other Countries. CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. People take vetiver for nerve and circulation problems and for stomach pain. Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. by root subdivision (slip). On the contrary, 30 other species found in the vetiver rows are considered emerging leaves. prepared on sites. International vetiver In a soil block shear test, Hengchaovanich and Nilaweera (1996) also found that root Indeed, perhaps the most important feature of the vetiver method is its compatibility with all the other techniques. waterways to even out the flow of runoff throughout the year. Although vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) has been used for Truong, P.N. Proc. Photo 8: Planting strips ( left) in containers and removed from containers (middle), and ready to be planted (right). Bare roots plantlets are 4-5 weeks old plantlets which were raised in sand beds and barriers from scouring and erosion by high velocity flows. Napier grass | Diseases and Pests, Description, Uses, Propagation Following the extensive research Another is due to the sad fact that certain farmers feel little for the stewardship of their land. Publication No. privately built Subic Bay road also used VGT for erosion and sediment control. The deep root system of the vetiver hedges will protect the ground surface next to the tensile strength of vetiver roots increases with the reduction in root diameter, this Select old culms, that have more mature buds and more nodes than young ones. trials are also being conducted on the Blackwater-Gregory line. Highly tolerant to toxic levels Aluminium, Manganese, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Xia, H P. Ao, H X, Liu, S Z and He, D Q. Master of Engineering Thesis, University of Vetiver is already being planted in several countries to reinforce and improve the stability of terraces, berms, and bunds. Vetiver root fiber is also used in building materials. This extensive and thick root system binds the soil For faster growth the slips should be kept in wet and sunny conditions until planting out (Photo 2). program in the first few years but once established it is virtually maintenance free in Vetiver contains an oil that repels insects. Expect new shoots to emerge about one week after planting. Potable water prepared with this also has many health benefits. Therefore vetiver produces best growth In addition, few farmers are aware of just how much soil they are losing and may have no interest in any erosion-control process. 30th Ann. erosion increases from two to 40 000 times the pre construction rates (Goldman et al, Faster establishment and growth after planting. partly to the soft vegetative approach and partly due to the more knowledge moisture competition in crops in Australia (Dalton, 1997) indicated that under low Enough description. When planted upstream from the A third is that vetiver (at least in many places) does need some care during the period immediately after planting. It does not require careful layouts or high-quality control. It can stand extreme heat (50C) and frost (-10C) and can be established in areas with an annual rainfall from 450 mm and higher. supplied fresh for planting within a week. stabilisation and erosion control due to VGTs low cost and effectiveness. Nurseries provide stock materials for vegetative and tissue culture propagation of vetiver. Deep roots, easy to grow, prevents soil erosion and so much more. this effect has to be balanced against a higher rate of soil water depletion due to the (Few, if any, other grasses seem able to hold back soil or moisture when planted in such a thin line.). (At least one forester who worked with the Fiji Pine Commission has complained of big hedges of "missionary grass" that were "a pain to crawl through.") (1995). Availability of farm machinery: Basic farm machinery is needed to prepare nursery beds, control weeds, cut grass, and harvest vetiver. that of rock wall and Xia et al, (1999) showed that in southern China, VGTs The procedure is frequently used by the international horticultural industry. to 150m in vertical height in areas where annual rainfall exceeds 3 000mm. runoff water to stable areas or proper drains for safe disposal. The resulting bare root slips can be dipped in various treatments, including rooting hormones, manure slurry (cow or horse tea), clay mud, or simple shallow water pools, until new roots appear. Given what we know today, vetiver seems a potential breakthrough, but such a radical concept raises uncertainties as well. In this regard, VGT has done the job it was designed to do and no longer needed when the Creighton, 1994). 8.0 PLANTING MATERIALS AND THEIR SUITABILITY. Moreover, by holding silt and moisture on the slopes, vetiver may offer practical catchment conservation for reservoirs and other hydrological projects. Continue to read the uses of Vetiver. used as a pioneer species. However, in the very high rainfall areas, to reduce this potentially To every thoughtful observer, it is obvious that government policies, farming practices, excessive pressures on the land and its vegetationnot to mention foolishness, ignorance, and even a malevolent self-interest that sometimes verges on "eco-vandalism"all lead to soil erosion. It seems promising as a way for local people to involve, Rakiraki, Fiji. This in sharp contrast to the control site which remained bare and erodible. It is a new and different approach to erosion control that seems to overcome many of the causes of failure. 3.3 Bud multiplication or micro propagation. In addition properly laid out hedges can be designed to The increase was 39% Network. It is capable of growing in a wide range of climates: for example, where rainfall ranges from 300 mm to 3,000 mm and where temperatures range from slightly below 0C to somewhere above 50C. Most vetiver genotypes flower but do not produce seeds. Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver and khus, is a perennial bunchgrass of the family Poaceae.. Vetiver is most closely related to Sorghum but shares many morphological characteristics with other fragrant grasses, such as lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus, C. winterianus), and palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii). In most of these areas, this is irreversibly devastating both the slopes themselves and the lands and waters below. Southern and west Africa, its application is mainly restricted to the sub continent, and Vetiver is a tropical Asian plant that has been brought to both hemispheres tropics, where it has escaped cultivation and become a weed in some areas. It has outstanding promise as a "safety line" to anchor broad strips of other grasses, such as napier grass. Mature vetiver, however, thrives under waterlogged conditions. The implications are that, once the The vetiver culm is solid, stiff, and hard; it has prominent nodes with lateral buds that can form roots and shoots when exposed to moist conditions. Stiffgrass barrier with vetiver Thus, farmers and foresters will probably employ vetiver, whether they have any concern for erosion or not. His pioneering research & development But the lack of a simple, easy to replicate, and widely adaptable erosion-control technique has in the past boosted the invidious influences of these pernicious societal effects. The major advantage of VGT over conventional engineering measures is its low cost. system also increases the shear strength of soil, thereby enhances slope stability Vetiver grass is a great source of nutrition for farm animals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. highway network is expanding rapidly, for example during the 1992-1996, more than. (Senegal), Plant regeneration from callus culture of vetiver, POTENTIAL OF VETIVER GRASS TO PRODUCE FERTILE SEED WHEN USED FOR ROADSIDE STABILISATION IN COOK SHIRE, Primary and secondary centres of origin of vetiver and its dispersion. To add to the confusion, VGT exploits its different It does not require foreign exchange or expensive equipment. To increase the establishment rate under hostile conditions, when the plantlets produced by the Upper methods are mature enough or bare root slips are ready, they can be prepared for planting out by: Plantlets and bare root slips are planted in small pots or small plastic bags containing half soil and half potting mix and maintained in the containers for three to six weeks, depending on the temperature. Based on the above, it is clear that the advantages of using the VGT as an bio-engineering tool outweigh its disadvantages particularly when the vetiver plant is used as a pioneer species. Unpublished paper presented at Proc. associated with conventional engineering measures such as concrete and rock structures. The Homesman Ending Explained, Articles D
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