Hosted by the International Vetiver Network and organized by the China Vetiver Network, the International Vetiver Video Conference was successfully held on November 18, 2021. The people participating in the meeting wee from China, the United States, Thailand, Australia, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and India. In addition other attendees participated through the China Vetiver Network’s venue in Nanjing. The webinar was presided over by Dick Grimshaw, the Founder of the Vetiver Network International. The China Vetiver Network organized 4 speakers to give presentations at the webinar. The central topic of the webinar was to introduce the recent progress of the Vetiver System in China. The webinar was recorded and edited as separate topis videos. See links below.
(1) Introduction and development of China’s vetiver system, spokesperson: Huang Biao (Nanjing Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences) outlined the history of the promotion and development of the vetiver system in China; the recent establishment of the vetiver popular science garden (35 ha) emphasizes the importance of the vetiver system in popular science for children; introduces the writing and performance process of popular science dramas for children and its development. It is further emphasized that the publicity and promotion of vetiver knowledge should start with children. https://youtu.be/sQbGS0WUub8
(2) The application of vetiver in the control of rice stem borers, spokesperson Lv Zhongxian (Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences). Although the research on vetiver and rice stem borers has been going on for about 30 years, Professor Lu and his team conducted in-depth, comprehensive and systematic research on the subject for the first time, fundamentally solving why vetiver can be used to control the pink and striped stem borers of rice. He described some of the research and set out recommended field practices. Currently it is estimated that 270,000 ha of rice in south China uses vetiver for controlling stem borer. https://youtu.be/YDr9bkEmx60
(3) Sequestration of CO2 by Vetiver in China, spokesperson: Lu Fangyi (Nanjing Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences). Lu’s report attracted widespread attention from the participants. He affirmed the role of vetiver in carbon adsorption, and pointed out the characteristics and advantages of using grasses to fix carbon. It can be estimated that in 2030 and 2060, in addition to its value in engineering and environmental protection, the cumulative carbon adsorption “added value” created by China’s vetiver system will be 1.03 billion yuan and 3.32 billion yuan, respectively. The climate policies and actions of the Chinese government give new impetus to the application of vetiver. https://youtu.be/ijUcCzJ7fRw
(4) The application of the vetiver system in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, spokesperson Ye Qing (Wenzhou Lianqing Ecological Agriculture Co., Ltd. was unable to speak due to a network failure). Wenzhou Lianqing Aquatic Flower Professional Cooperative was founded in 2013 and established Wenzhou Lianqing Ecological Agriculture Co., Ltd. in November 2019. The company is located in Longwan District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, with a total area of 568 mu (80 ha). It is the first vetiver cultivation nursery in Wenzhou City. The company began to recognize the value of vetiver in 2015, started propagating vetiver in 2017, and officially promoted the application of vetiver as a carbon sink in 2020 along with other applications including the treatment of Wenzhou City sewage treatment plant. https://youtu.be/8zDQI4SVLZA
(5) Finally, the children’s popular science drama “Friends of Mankind: Vetiver” was screened. This is the world’s first popular science drama for children in the genre of vetiver. The script is mainly based on the latest research results of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences applying vetiver to prevent and control rice borers. It mainly elaborated the profound reason why vetiver can be used to control rice stem borers. At the same time, the script also introduces some of the main functions of vetiver, including:
The application of vetiver in soil and water conservation;
The role of vetiver in environmental protection;
The application of vetiver in engineering and infrastructure protection, etc.
The script is easy to understand and shows some basic scientific common sense for the audience, especially the children. For example:
What are insects?
Insects include two major categories, namely pests and beneficial insects.
What are the effects of pesticides on insects?
What is drug resistance? Why can’t we rely on pesticides to deal with insects for a long time?
What is food safety?
What is a detoxification enzyme?
What is rice borer?
Why can vetiver be used to control rice borers?
As part of the popular science work, the script will show the profound truths through the lively and vivid performances of the children and spread them among the children. Therefore, it is welcomed by a wide range of friends and their parents. The performance of children’s popular science dramas is conducive to allowing children to understand science from an early age, learn science, love science, and establish the spirit of striving for the scientific cause of the motherland.
In addition to the above issues, the Vetiver System has been studied and applied in many different areas in China in recent years, such as using vetiver to make batteries; dealing with air pollution; manufacturing medicines.
Following the presentations, question is mainly focused on the role of vetiver in carbon adsorption, because the topic involves a wide range of issues, and there are still many areas to be studied and discussed. Participants hope that such video conferences can be held frequently, so as to facilitate the exchange of experience, exchange of needs, and promote the further development and promotion of the Vetiver System.
Liyu Xu, Coordinator – the China Vetiver Network