Vetiveria Zizanioides As Grass That Pervent Soil Erotion

Soil erosion is a major problem affecting agricultural lands worldwide. Valuable topsoil is washed or blown away, reducing fertility and productivity. But one natural solution is gaining popularity - the vetiver plant. This tropical grass has an amazing ability to stabilize soil and protect it from erosion.

Vetiveria zizanioides is a densely tufted perennial grass native to India. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and develops a massive root system that plunges deep into the soil. The roots can reach over 10 feet deep, acting like anchors that bind the soil in place. Vetiver also forms thick hedges when planted close together in rows, which slow down and spread out rainwater runoff. The grass blades further protect the soil from heavy rains and winds.

This wonder grass has been used for centuries in India and other parts of Asia to control erosion in agricultural lands, especially on steep slopes and embankments. The World Bank promoted vetiver as an inexpensive and sustainable means of soil conservation starting in the 1980s. Since then, its use has spread across the tropics and subtropics.

How Indonesian Vetiveria Zizanioides Grass Control The Soil Erosion?

So how does vetiver work its magic? Its dense network of deep roots is the key. The long, thick roots bind the soil particles together, while the root hairs hold back fine particles that would otherwise wash away. Vetiver can grow through compacted and hardened soils that few other plant roots can penetrate. This makes it highly effective at stabilizing heavy eroding soils, steep slopes, and roadsides.

use of vetiver also slows down and spreads out the flow of water running off the land. Its stiff leaves form a barrier that protects the soil like a mulch. The leaves slow raindrops before they hit the ground and reduce their dispersive force. The dense hedges further slow down runoff and cause silt and debris to be deposited behind the hedge. This prevents rills and gullies from forming.

In addition, vetiver is highly tolerant of extreme weather conditions. It can withstand prolonged drought, flooding, and even fire. Unlike other grasses, vetiver does not compete with crops. It forms compact hedges that don’t spread out and invade adjoining lands. Vetiver also regrows quickly after being damaged, so it requires minimal maintenance.

Use Of Vetiver Oil In Various Countries

Vetiver grass is proving invaluable for soil and water conservation in many tropical regions:

• In Fiji, vetiver hedges planted on steep slopes have reduced soil loss by up to 90%, stabilizing the land used for sugar cane farming.
• In Honduras, vetiver grass is used to protect hillside coffee plantations, reducing erosion during heavy rains by as much as 70%.
• In Venezuela, planting vetiver on the banks of rivers and canals has helped stabilize these waterways and reduced sedimentation.
• In Ghana, vetiver hedges planted around farm fields have slowed rainwater runoff. This has allowed more water to soak into the soil, helping to recharge groundwater supplies during the dry season.
• In Vietnam, vetiver grass is grown along highways and railways. It traps eroding soil and prevents landslides onto the roads and tracks.
• In India, vetiver has protected millions of acres of cropland from erosion since the 1980s. It is commonly used on tea plantations in the Darjeeling area.

Beyond soil conservation, vetiver has other environmental benefits. It can filter out pollutants and improve water quality when planted around ponds, wastewater outlets, and contaminated sites. Vetiver also provides wildlife habitat, acts as a windbreak, and can be used for thatch, handicrafts, and animal fodder.

All these diverse applications make vetiver grass an ecological superhero. This humble plant deserves more recognition and use for its soil and water conservation superpowers. With simple management like occasional trimming, vetiver hedges can protect farmlands for decades. Vetiver grass truly is a valuable green solution for farmers and communities seeking to keep their soils intact. With vetiver’s help, we can reduce erosion, stabilize soils, and ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods into the future.