The Vetiver Network International

Vetiver Grass Technology – Carbon Farming Management – Research – Global Outreach – Feedback (NL 2024-10)

CARBON FARMING FOR FARMERS – MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

“Soil organic matter is the elixir of life” . … Rattan Lal

“A healthy soil should contain 2-4% Soil Organic Matter (SOM) half of which is Soil Organic Carbon.”

Contents

The Potential of Regenerative Agriculture for Carbon Management and Sustainability  This (18 min) video by Dr Rattan Lal – — the World’s leading soil scientist, World Food prize winner, and Director of Rattan Lal Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (Ohio State University) — is recommended as an introduction to soil and carbon. This 8 minute video —  Carbon Sequestion –by Dr. Lal describes the different types of sequestered carbon and specifically that which might be attributed to vetiver.

Vetiver grass has many traits including a large mass of above and below ground biomass, and a capability of high SOM production. The below ground organic matter (roots) can be further enhanced when the above ground mass is used as mulch with subsequent decomposition and soil incorporation. Soil carbon has a monetary value when sequestered from the atmosphere, of about $35 /ha/year (assuming a generation  rate of 1 ton SOC/ha). Soil carbon also has an essential role in plant growth, and adequate amounts result in crop yield improvement and the quality of food. Over 10 years vetiver might add 10 tons of SOC/ha  increasing crop yields by  1 ton or more depending on the type of crop (Lal).  Jim Smyle expands on Vetiver related SOC in his July 2024 newsletter. Its worth going back to the article for refreshment.

Vetiver grass is known to have a positive impact on the rhizosphere and the interaction between vetiver and associated  mychorrhiza has led to interesting plant growth phenomena.  Soil quality/health is enhanced,  toxic chemicals are reduced/removed, associated crops are less damaged from pests and diseases, there is less stress from drought, erosion and runoff is reduced, soil nutrient loss is less. When properly managed vetiver provides adequate forage  for livestock  as well as biomass for other non agricultural uses. Most users of vetiver are looking at a specific characteristics of vetiver that will deliver on a specific objective , such as vetiver oil production or erosion control. We generally focus on just one or two aspects and the supportive data ….. users often forget that many other vetiver benefits are automatically delivered along with the selected single need (objective) ….. BUT what if we could pull the whole lot together into a management system that might help to create Rattan Lal’s “elexir of life “ in its widest sense.

One of the research papers below: Vetiver grass cleans up arsenic contaminated field for subsequent safe cultivation of rice with low arsenic in grains: a two year field study shows how in one year an arsenic contaminated rice field can be decontaminated to acceptable levels by replacing rice by vetiver, and that when later replanted to rice the yields and grain are improved. We also know from farmers in India, Vietnam, Kenya and elsewhere, including Patanjali Jha (a leading organic farmer using vetiver as an essential farm component in India), that perennial and annual crops grow better and are healthier when associated with vetiver.

It is doubtful that current carbon valuation of $35/ton/ha is attractive to small farmers. The arsenic paper referred to above got me thinking, and I pose this question ….. could farmers establish a profitable crop rotational management system that includes for example 5 years of vetiver followed by cereal, leguminous and other crops? Including vetiver in such a rotation would result in the inclusion of all or most of the known agronomic and environmental benefits of vetiver, …. protected and healthier soils, more drought tolerant and and higher yielding and healthier crops, and importantly would provide for large quantities of soil organic matter at depth in the soil profile … all of this established within the standard  vetiver hedgerow layout”.  Note under this type of rotational management system the vetiver “crop” could be used for forage (grazed or cut), as mulch for nearby crops, as plant material for sale or replanting (at the end of the cycle), and for other farm-based purposes”.  Perhaps some of you might like to think this through and try it on part of your farm, or perhaps as an agronomist, part of your experimental programs. This could be construed as a “real” CARBON FARMING SYSTEM FOR FARMERS

We have reports from some farmers in Thailand indicating that where vetiver was embedded in farm systems there was no longer need to resort to “slash and burn” practices because soil nutrient losses were reduced and SOM amd associated nutrient development increased.

Growing vetiver as a rotational crop, or even as a long term forage crop, would make it easier to monitor and assess for carbon payments, but would also put carbon firmly into  Rattan Lal’s CNPK (Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash) crop nutrient package.

THE FUNCTION OF A VETIVER HEDGEROW

Many vetiver users do not fully understand that to assure an effective vetiver hedgerow that efficiently traps runoff sediment, and slows down and delays the rate of rainfall runoff (resulting in reduced soil loss and  higher infiltration rates), that vetiver hedges must be planted on an average contour line with inline plants planted as close at 15 cm apart. If correctly applied effective hedges will form within 12 months, and if correctly maintained (at least once a year cutting) the hedgerows become more dense and even more effective. Depending on the slope of the land significant natural terracing will occur up slope  of the hedge as shown in the 30 year old hedge in Fiji. John Greenfield’s farmer handbook, Vetiver Grass A Hedge Against Erosion”first published for farmers in India in 1987 is still entirely relevant. Use it! I still do after nearly 40 years! .. NOTE this handbook as well as other manuals are translated in some other languages and are downloadable free from TVNI’s website Manual and Guide Section.

VETIVER RESEARCH – some updates

Google Scholar estimates (since 1995) some 19,000 papers/review articles associated with “Vetiver Grass” of which some 2,800 were published in 2023 and 2024 to date (about 1200 thus far in 2024). They cover all aspects of vetiver including medicinal and aromatic studies.  TVNI no longer  lists on its website new research unless the paper is presented at a TVNI sponsored conference or is of special interest.

Current research studies address most of Vetiver System applications and many support previous published results with new and additional data  and conclusions.  With the challenge of climate change  more research is being carried out in many application areas that include slope stabilization, phytoremediation  and vetiver related soil health microbiology.

Vetiver related research has a long history. One of the earliest (1928/29) reports comes from British colonial records where vetiver was tested and recommended at the Amani research station in the tea growing area north west of Tanga, Tanzania  … “Anti-erosion measures on plantations (tea) and road sides were carried out, these consisting, for the most part, of contour lines of growing vetiver grass which is found most suitable the purpose”.

I found some vetiver related papers published in 2023 and 2024 that may interest Vetiver users. Those selected  reflect the breadth of research, the countries, and institutions undertaking the research. The papers provide answers to some recent questions posed on social media platforms. The data and conclusions provide the basis for developing new  vetiver applications and reinforcing the effectiveness of current applications.  Below  are listed  the paper titles (linked to the source url) and authors, with short descriptions (edited abstracts) of the research.

In summary the bioengineering papers provide further evidence and confirmation of the value of vetiver for slope stabilization (in one case over 20 years), its potential for stabilizing black cracking soils (vertisols) that are often used as highway or railroad fill, its ability to reduce soil hydraulic pressure, and to meet Factor of Safety norms.

Research undertaken in the Three Gorges area of China reinforces vetiver’s ability to delay rainfall runoff significantly and reduce the loss of soil nutrients (note the impact of effective and dense hedges). Vietnamese investigations of Vetiver root endophytes that enhance plant growth, including an example of increased tomato growth by 20%. (could this explain better crop and tree growth when closely associated with vetiver?).

An interesting study on using vetiver to treat the water used for tilapia fish production that indicated a 10% time in reaching harvesting time , decreases of ammonia, increased nitrates and improved weight of tilapia.

With some parts of the world facing more frequent droughts Tunisians have been looking at vetiver for forage, another study shows how vetiver can over come stress and can survive extreme adverse weather.

A study from India shows how planting rice fields to vetiver can bring  arsenic polluted land to acceptable levels after one year, and increase the yield of rice.

The studies could be helpful in design, management and success of actual applications.

Comparison Between Vetiver and Brachiaria Grass In Erosion Control In Tropical Climate.

Mario Guilherme Garcia Nacinovic; Cláudio Fernando Mahler; Maria Clara de Oliveira Marques; José Ronaldo de Macedo; Adoildo da Silva Melo; Guilherme Ottoni Souza; Renata Coura Borges.  — University City, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

…  The experiment was carried out over a period of ten months, representing the rainy season in the humid tropical climate of Rio de Janeiro. ….  During an extreme heavy rainfall event (precipitation of 38.8 mm and rainfall intensity of 13.6 mm·h-1) the vetiver system showed erosion of 1.04 kg·ha-1 while the brachiaria grass had erosion values of 41.66 kg·ha-1. The bare soil showed erosion of 2,531.61 kg·ha-1

Evaluating the Influences Hedgerow on Soil Erosion and Nitrogen Loss of Purple Soil Sloping Farmland Under Simulated Rainfall 

Hai Xiao, Rui Xiang, Rubing Yan, Zhenyao Xia, Ping Guo , Feng Gao , Wenqi Zhang a, Zhien Zhu , Xinhui Dong , Lun Zhang , Yueshu Yang , Chao Kang

Key Laboratory of Geological Hazards on Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Ministry of Education, Yichang 443002, PR China.  College of Civil Engineering & Architecture, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, PR China  Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, PR China. School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Huizhou University, Huizhou 516007, PR China, Parkland GEO Ltd. Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 2W8, Canada.

 … Hedgerow Vetiveria zizanioides  is a vital soil and water conservation technology for sloping farmland that can significantly reduce erosion and nutrient loss via their above  and below-ground parts. The effect of hedgerow on erosion and nutrient loss has been widely investigated, while the respective effects of their above- and below-ground parts are still unclear. Therefore, the purple soil from the Three Gorges Reservoir Area was used, and 3 slope conditions of control check, whole hedgerow and hedgerow roots only combined with 2 slope gradients (15° and 25°) were constructed and the simulated rainfall tests were researched at 3 rainfall intensities (60, 90 and 120 mm h−1). The runoff initiation time, runoff and erosion rates, and loss of nitrogen via runoff and sediment were analysed. In comparison to the control check slope condition, hedgerows delayed the runoff initiation time by 43.38 %, decreased runoff and erosion by 15.59 % and 78.37 % respectively, and decreased nitrogen loss via runoff by approximately 40 % and via sediment by approximately 70 % on average, respectively. The average contribution rates of the below-ground part of the hedgerow was 49.89 % for the increase in runoff initiation time, 33.99 % for runoff reduction, and 39.91 % for erosion reduction. In addition, more than 2/3 and 58.49 % of nitrogen loss reduction via runoff and sediment, respectively, was contributed by the above-ground part of the hedgerow. …..

Effect of Root Age on The Slope Stability Using Vetiver Grass

Maadi, R., Noorzad, A. Effect of root age on the slope stability using vetiver grass. Arab J Geosci 17, 217 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-12020-4

… . Data was gathered from previous studies to establish a mathematical relationship between root cohesion—a key factor influencing the Factor of Safety (FS)—and the plant’s age. Finite element modeling using PLAXIS 2D software was conducted on a 45-degree slope to calculate FS in the absence and presence of vetiver grass at ages 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. Results indicate that root cohesion (cr) and root area ratio (RAR) significantly affect FS values. Over 20 years, soil cohesion increased by 67%, and the FS of a 45-degree slope improved by 6.7%. …. The study also found that while root cohesion increases with age, the rate of increase diminishes over time. Overall, the shear strength of rooted soil enhances with higher RAR and mobilized tensile strength of roots.

Contribution of Vetiver Grass Towards Slope Stability Via Mechanical Root Reinforcement  

Patil, U.D., Yeo, MH., Demeulenaere, E., Mabagos, D., Congress, S.S.C. (2024). Contribution of Vetiver Grass Towards Slope Stability Via Mechanical Root Reinforcement. In: Hazarika, H., Haigh, S.K., Chaudhary, B., Murai, M., Manandhar, S. (eds) Climate Change Adaptation from Geotechnical Perspectives. CREST 2023 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 447. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-9215-7_2

…..  Results show that the tensile strength offered by vetiver roots increased with decreasing root diameter and a good power-fit relationship was obtained between root diameter and tensile strength. Furthermore, the root morphological characteristics were used with root bundle theory to translate the tensile strength offered by roots into additional root cohesion. Transient seepage analysis was performed on bare and vegetated slope to generate degree of saturation and suction profiles with respect to depth, which were incorporated into a simple infinite slope stability problem to compute the Factor of Safety (FOS) with respect to depth. Analysis of results show that the FOS of shallow depths with presence of vetiver roots increased many times as compared to bare slope, which demonstrated the potential of vetiver grass in restoration of watersheds along the hill slopes in southern Guam.

Impact of Vetiver Plantation on Unsaturated Soil Behavior And Stability of Highway Slope

Fariha Rahman, Avipriyo Chakraborty, Sadik Khan and  Rakesh Salunke
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

……  Most of the highway slopes of Mississippi are built on highly expansive clay. During summer, the evaporation of moisture in the soil leads to shrinkage and the formation of desiccation cracks, while during rainfall, the soil swells due to the infiltration of water. In addition to this, the rainwater gets trapped in these cracks and creates perched conditions, leading to the increased moisture content and reduced shear strength of slope soil. The increased precipitation due to climate change is causing failure conditions on many highway slopes of Mississippi. ….. The objective of the current study is to assess the changes in moisture contents of a highway slope in Mississippi after the Vetiver plantation. Monitoring equipment, such as rain gauges and moisture sensors, were installed to monitor the rainfall of the area and the moisture content of the soil. The data showed that the moisture content conditions were improved with the aging of the grass. The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) analysis was performed to validate the field data obtained from different sensors, and it was found that there was no significant slope movement after the Vetiver plantation. The study proves the performance of the Vetiver grass in improving the unsaturated soil behavior and stability of highway slopes built on highly expansive clay.

Bioengineering Stabilization of Marginal Soil at the Sloping Face of the Embankment Using the Vetiver Root System

Taran Jandyal , Mohammad Yousuf Shah — National Institute of Technology Srinagar, India

……  Recognized widely, planting or preserving vegetation in erosion-prone areas stands as a highly effective strategy for soil erosion control. Even in semi-arid regions where above-ground biomass may temporarily diminish, the enduring underground roots play a pivotal role in safeguarding the topsoil from erosion. The strength required to dislodge the root system of each grass vertically from the soil serves as an indicator of soil binding capacity. Prior to recommending suitable treatments, a comprehensive assessment encompassing various factors such as current vegetation cover, hydrology, slope aspect, angle, soil composition, and geological characteristics is imperative. This study employs vetiver grass to fortify soil and utilizes GEO5 software for slope analysis. The aim of experimenting with vetiver as a bioengineering solution is to ascertain its efficacy either as a substitute for or complement to traditional engineering approaches for slope and erosion challenges. Analysis conducted on an unreinforced soil location using GEO5 software revealed a factor of safety (FOS) of less than 1.5, indicating an unstable slope. Conversely, when the same location was reinforced with vetiver root and analysed using the same software, the FOS exceeded 1.5, signifying a stable slope ….

Hydromechanical Behaviour of a Slope Reinforced by Grass Roots Under Rainfall Conditions

Gayuh Aji Prasetyaningtiyas, Viroon Kamchoom, Anthony Kwan Leung, Suched Likitlersuang

….. This study investigates the effects of the roots of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) on the hydromechanical behaviour of an unsaturated soil slope using the centrifuge modelling technique. The changes in pore water pressure and slope deformation were monitored during the test. The monitored data were subsequently back-analysed and interpreted using seepage–stability analyses. In addition, this study focused on evaluating the effect of roots on slope stability, considering safety and pore water pressure during rainfall. Results revealed that the vetiver roots remarkably affected the initial suction of the slope by increasing the soil’s air-entry value. The increased suction and the additional cohesion provided by the roots enhanced slope stability under rainfall conditions.

Vetiver Forage Yield and Nutritive Value affected by Water Irrigation Regimes and Plant Density Under Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Ben Romdhane, A., Dhane, S., Boukef, S. et al. Vetiver forage yield and nutritive value affected by water irrigation regimes and plant density under Mediterranean climate conditions. Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr (2024).

….. With the aim of introducing vetiver grass as a resilient forage alternative in the Mediterranean basin, a field trial was set up at three-consecutive-year field experiments (2015, 2016, and 2017) in the North of Tunisia. The effects of irrigation regimes and planting density on the growth parameters, fodder yield, and quality of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.) ‘Sunshine’ were assessed.  The experiment was arranged in a split-plot factorial design with four irrigation regimes: optimum (Ir75), moderate (Ir100), severe (Ir125) and very severe (Ir150) combined with three plant densities (D1: 10,000, D2: 20,000 and D3: 40,000 plants ha−1). The findings showed that a short (Ir75) and moderate (Ir100) irrigation intervals improved production mainly influenced by the number of tillers. Additionally, the medium (D2) and the highest (D3) densities gave the best results in terms of DMY (14.7 and 14.6 T ha−1) and PY (1638.3 and 1540.3 kg ha−1) for all water regimes. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that PY was explained by the DMY and crude protein content under Ir× D interaction. The optimal combination for maximizing PY (1978.46 kg ha−1) appears to be the result of the interaction between a moderate irrigation regime (Ir100) and average plant density (20,000 plants ha−1). These results highlight that the vetiver’s grass potential to cope with water scarcity conditions by enhancing the DMY and PY, might be provided by the use of a specific planting density and irrigation dose.

Designer Vetiver Genotypes for Environmental and Industrial Applications

Umesh C. Lavania, Seshu Lavania, and Yerramilli Vimala.   J. Indian bot. Soc.1CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India.

….  There are two diverse plant requirements – targeting  environmental and industrial uses. Three designer genotypes were developed : (i) Genotype ‘CIMAP-FORAGIKA’ : is suitable for efficient soil binding on account of its designer root architecture characterized by intense root-web, and soil amelioratoration properties on account of its high iron / heavy metal absorption potential in the root zone, and possessing shoot characteristics that make it suitable as fodder under ecological plantations, (ii) The clone ‘CIMAP-KH40’ : This clone sports deep penetrating fast growing smooth roots with efficient carbon sink capability, and is thus ideal for carbon sequestration deep into the subsoil likened to trees. Further, this clone was made seed infertile through genomic manipulation to realize non-invasiveness for its suitability in ecological plantations, (iii) The genotype ‘CIMAP-KHUSINOLIKA’: This is a short duration clone that could yield essential oil of desirable quality just after 6 months crop cycle compared to existing varieties that require 18 months.

Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals by Vetiver Grass Near Riverbeds.

 Singh, L., Malik, M., Babu, R. (2024).  In: Madhav, S., Gupta, G.P., Yadav, R.K., Mishra, R., Hullebusch, E.v. (eds) Phytoremediation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60761-5_7

….  Heavy metal presence in aquatic ecosystems can lead to adverse effects on population density, diversity, community structure, and species composition. …… Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides), has emerged as a promising candidate for phytoremediation due to its effectiveness and cost-efficiency. This study explores the potential of vetiver grass in water and soil systems for the removal of heavy metals, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for mitigating metal contamination in aquatic environments.

Vetiver Grass Cleans Up Arsenic Contaminated Field for Subsequent Safe Cultivation of Rice With Low Arsenic in Grains: A Two Year Field Study

Shraddha Singh , Ankita Gupta , Himanshu Mishra , Sudhakar Srivastava, Prasanta K. Patra

The presence of high concentrations of arsenic (As) in agricultural soils and its subsequent accumulation in rice crop is a serious issue threatening sustainability of agriculture and human health. In the present work, remediation of As contaminated field in Nadia, West Bengal, India was done through the cultivation of Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides L. Nash) and the same field was subsequently used for rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation. The results showed that V. zizanoides could reduce As concentrations in the field to bring it lower than the maximum permissible limit (20 mg kg−1) in 11 months’ time. The rice plants grown in remediated field showed improvement in growth and photosynthesis parameters as compared to that of contaminated field. Importantly, yield related parameters (filled seed, 1000 grain weight, number of panicles etc.) were also significantly higher in remediated field than that in contaminated field. Arsenic concentration in roots, shoot, husk and grains of rice was found to be significantly lower in remediated field than in contaminated field. Grain As decreased from 0.75 to 0.77 μg g−1 dw in contaminated field to 0.15–0.18 μg g−1 dw. In conclusion, replacing rice for single year with V. zizanoides crop can significantly remediate the field and can be a viable option.

Root Chemistry and Microbe Interactions Contribute to Metal(Loid) Tolerance ff an Aromatic Plant – Vetiver Grass

Huishan Li , Zuomin Rao, Guodong Sun, Mengke Wang, Yuanxi Yang, Junwen Zhang, Hui Li, Min Pan, Jun-Jian Wang, Xun Wen Chen  —– State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China

Aromatic plants, such as vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), possess strong abilities to resist environmental stresses. However, whether such abilities stem from the interaction between specific chemical characteristics and the associated microbes in roots and rhizosphere remains unclear. We conducted pot experiments to analyze stress-tolerant parameters, organic compounds, and bacterial communities in roots and rhizosphere of vetiver under typical metal(loid) stress [cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), or Cd + As] over time. The results showed that the vetiver displayed limited toxic symptoms in terms of oxidative stress-antioxidant balance and chlorophyll content. The root low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs), fatty acids, and sterols were highly sensitive to growth stage (increased from the 4-month to the 8-month stage), and less sensitive to metal(loid) stress. The sugar contents in the rhizosphere soils also notably increased over time. Such endo and rhizosphere chemical changes strongly correlated with and enriched the functional bacteria including Streptomyces, which can resist stress and promote plant growth. The compound-bacteria interaction highly depended on growth stage. Vetiver demonstrated a progressive adaptation to stresses through metabolite modulation and cellular defense reinforcement. Our study evidenced that vetiver shapes the interaction between organic compounds and bacterial community in the root-soil interface and provides notable stress-resistant functions.

A Snapshot of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated From The Roots of Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon Zizanioides) Grown at Bien Hoa Airbase, Dong Nai Province

Vu Thi Lan Anh, Nguyen Thi Nhan, Dang Thi Ha Thu , Pham The Hai, Nguyen Quoc Dinh, Ngo Thi Thuy Huong , Tran Van Tuan .

…. This study investigated endophytic bacteria from Vetiver grass grown in dioxin-contaminated soil at Bien Hoa airbase, Vietnam. Sixteen bacterial strains were isolated and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing nine distinct species. Notably, four strains (Klebsiella variicola B1, Enterobacter cloacae B4, B6, and Enterobacter asburiae B11) exhibited high indole acetic acid (IAA) production, a plant growth hormone. Strains K. variicola B1 and E. cloacae B4 also displayed phytase and phosphatase activity, potentially enhancing plant nutrient availability. These IAA-producing strains were further evaluated for their ability to promote tomato plant growth. After 28 days of root inoculation, tomato plants exhibited a 19-22% increase in growth compared to controls. This study highlights the first isolation of endophytic bacteria from Vetiver grass in dioxin-contaminated soil and identifies potential bacterial candidates for plant growth promotion in such environments.

Improving Tilapia Growth With Vetiver Grass in an Aquaponic System

Reyes, J. Guillermo Galindo (2024) Improving Tilapia Growth with Vetiver Grass in an Aquaponic System. In: Contemporary Research and Perspectives in Biological Science Vol. 1. BP International, pp. 54-66. ISBN 978-93-48006-01-1 .   Full text not available from this repository.

…… the aim of this work was to demonstrate the benefits of Vetiver grass in tilapia aquaculture in Mexico. Tilapia juveniles in three mini-ponds were cultured for ten weeks, using an aquaponics system with Vetiver and one mini-pond without Vetiver. Water parameters like ammonia, nitrates, dissolved O2, pH etc., and the increase of tilapia weight were recorded during the experiment. Results indicated that ammonia decreased, nitrate increased and tilapia weight increased more in mini-ponds with Vetiver than without Vetiver. A von Bertalanffy simplified model was used to calculate the time required for tilapia to reach the commercial size (around 500 g). The time obtained with and without Vetiver was 48.6 and 54.4 weeks respectively. Moreover, for farm tilapia aquaculture, this will decrease production cost, due to less amount of feed supplied for the tilapia growth; also, a reduction of negative environmental impact to coastal ecosystems will be obtained, since the amount of ammonia produced in mini-ponds with Vetiver was 4.56 times less than mini-pond without Vetiver at end of ten weeks. ….

A Review on The Usage of Vetiver Grass In Landscape Design: A Case Study at Putrajaya Wetland

Mohd Suhail bin Sahimi, Mohd Basir Abd Rozak, Nur Azwanie Nordin, Noraqidah Mohamad & Nordianti Abd Rahim. — Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The research explores vetiver grass (VG) as part of the landscape design element to protect riparian zones and at the same time act as an active bio-filtration element. VG is a sustainable and biological method to filter water and stabilize slopes which are also benefiting the ecology and environment. This research will be able to assist landscape architects or policy makers in adapting VG in the riparian zone.

GLOBAL OUTREACH OF THE VETIVER SYSTEM

It is difficult to accurately asses global vetiver activities,  but  a reasonable estimate is possible by reviewing website logs and social media platforms.

TVNI’s website:

This site is an important and major source of information monthly useage data:

… Unique visitors/month: 8,000 —-Number of number of visits/month:35,000.
… Number of pages viewed/month: 70,000…… Different pages viewed/month: 5,000.
… Downloads per month: 2,000: Most popular downloads: vetiver manuals in Spanish, French and Mandarin and  “how to” documents.

The number of Social Media platforms are growing, as are the number of members (about 40,000)

Facebook groups and other social media platforms

TVNI – 11,700 members; Vietnam Vetiver Farmers – 10,000 members; Myanmar Vetiver Network – 6,000 members;  Pacific Islands Vetiver – 1,200 members; Sistema Vetiver Costa Rica – 4,600 followers;  Vetiver Australia – 740 members; Vetiver Nepal 480 members; Vetiver in Kenya – 450 members; Vetiver Rameswaram -590 members, Vetiver Sri Lanka – 200 members; Vetiver Europe – 600 members ; Vetiver Grass Uganda – 700 members; World of Vetiver – 550 members —- plus many more small private and or groups.

There are other vetiver related sources on Instagram, X, Linked-in, and most importantly Whatsapp. Most provide lively forums for information exchange and deabte

The keys to a good Facebook page/group  include relevance, useful information, regular updating, focus, and willingness to share experiences, successes and failures. The more we share about vetiver, the greater is the interest and uptake by others – all leads to a better environment, better livelihoods and to closer knit communities. Often groups grow when there are a few very active leaders (connectors) who add new information, ask questions, spur innovative thinking, and direct discussants to various sources.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD:

The information that follows are  about places and events that we haven’t reported on for a while.

Australia: we welcome back Daniel Londono who hopes to move Veticon Australia forward.

China: One of China’s key bioengineering innovators, Feng Ziyuan, is recovering from a very serious illness, and we are relieved that he is again able to continue to lead his company – probably the oldest vetiver company in China.

Liyu Xu, Coordinator and founder of the China Vetiver Network (started with TVNI support in 1996) sent me this image of some of the vetiver products now being made in China. “Over the past ten years China vetiverists have created and produced new industrial vetiver products — Vetiver is known for its perfumery and medicinal value since ancient times. These products include: Toothpastes; Tableware cleanser; Laundry Detergent;Laundry Detergent for underclothes; Vetiver pure dew (?) for skin infused with hydration; Perfumed soap; Shampoo; Regenerating brightening rich cream.; and Ratafee.”

These products were produced by different companies in various locations of China, led by China Yunnan Vetiver Science and Technology Company Ltd. In addiction to these daily used chemical products, some other products were also produced such as vetiver plant battery, and automobile energy-saving.

Costa Rica: Yorlene Cruz (CR Vetiver Network Coordinator) is extremely active in the promotion and application of vetiver. Apart from her own company vetiver activities, each month she organizes a Zoom meeting for Spanish speakers in Latin America where an invited guest speaker gives a presentation about vetiver, followed by discussion. These events are referred to as Conversatorio Virtual.  Yorlene is looking into using AI to provide real time audio translation allowing non Spanish speakers to participate. Yorlene also produces short vetiver related “podcasts” and “reels”.  The video recordings of these Conversatorio (so far a total of 13) can be found on TVNI’s Youtube channel.

Ecuador: From Marco Hutado (Province of the Rivers). As reported in previous newsletters vetiver activity continues to expandin Latin America. Here is one such example from Marco Hutado who has introduced vetiver to his farm for stream bank protection, soil and water conservation and other uses. He posted some short videos on Facebook

The land on the right belongs to neighbors, managed under a traditional system of burning crop residues in October, to prepare the soil for the new season, destroying the surface layer and leaving it very exposed to runoff in winter. The left side has a shrub fence, for perimeter care and benefit of its deep root system, it is kept at that height to view the work carried out. Marto’s farm is mainly planted with cocoa and bananas. Vetiver was planted to support the growth of the crops and there are lines of VETIVER throughout thefield, to improve the infiltration of  winter rainfall and the vetiver leaves as mulch for the cocoa, to help oxygenate the soil that is clayey in nature.

Links to Marto’s videos:  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/134LPbhxn5X67hqh/   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GeD6W8yher4TtzCa/    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/yB59b1tuu5P9Aqy1/  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QBYqeNLb4RGYqxxd/

Guinea: On going rehabilitation works at the Simandou Iron Ore mine using vetiver grass and hydroseeding by its own in-house environmental teams.10 hectares vetiver grass planted with 102-hectare Hydroseeding completed to date. Estimated 50 hectares vetiver planting & 635 ha hydroseeding planned for next financial year.

Guinea: Bauxite Mine – on going vetiver planting to critical areas. Generally, vetiver grass is being used throughout West Africa on rehabilitation projects as it has been found to be a cost-efficient  method for stabilizing disturbed and denuded areas.

Kenya:  

The Lela (Siaya County) community now have more than 100 kitchen gardens owned and operated by women that incorporate vetiver for erosion control, mulching, composting – resulting in improved soil fertility, crop protection, and for the first time enough nutritive food for improve their quality of life. Odda Howard is the “Fairy Godmother” whose farm at Lela provides vetiver plant material and vegetable seeds at no cost to community users. As well as advice to the women.

Caleb Omolo (farmer, trainer, promoting and using Regenerative Agriculture with Vetiver (RAV) and who started the Lela program writes:

 “Ecological chicken and other birds  rearing in a forest setup is very effective against many  insects  such as crickets which finds sanctuary in shaded vetiver rows but very destructive against vegetables such as kale, cabbage, and spinach. Snails and slugs are a big problem to gardens but when you raise ducks and chickens integrated in the gardens the pest problem is taken care of and the birds also do the weeding and loosen the soil so oxygen can get in . Vetiver grass integrated in the banana plantation together with cover crops such as pumpkins and birds are “win win” solutions in farming system”

“We have just concluded a two days training with Eliud from Turkana . It looks like we have another Samuel Taimuge (Kerio Valley) that paid me a visit many years back and has done a very good job of introducing and training many Kerio Valley farmers to Vetiver grass application in farming. We will keep you updated. Eliud took a lot of notes and l shared with him the literature you been sending me over the years of vetiver applications in other parts of the world.”

“.. when l do farm design the first thing l emphasis and teach, is that Vetiver hedges are very important in designing Vetiver Regenerative farming.   The biggest problem l have noticed with most farmers is they don’t use contours lines …. they plant in straight lines, and they tend to create them where the water runoff is a problem, so l advise them to start the hedge rows at the top of their lands where the water runoffs is less.  When they are made from the top of the land, at correct vertical intervals (2m VI), and planted all the way to the bottom of a slope, they are very effective.  l show pictures of vetiver hedgerows in rice fields in Malaysia and Vietnam rice fields which are so good.”

“ … earth bunds can be so dangerous in low spots and when they breach they cause massive surface run off. Vetiver hedgerows overtime works very well with multipurpose trees, such as Gliricidia sepium, because of their ability to fix nitrogen  and their roots hold  a lot of water and absorb a lot of surface run off. During the off season they are chopped together with the vetiver hedgerows to add soil fertility so when the rains arrive they are already converted to soil humus”

“It is the beginning of short rainy season in my village. We practice Vetiver Regenerative farming. We prune all the vetiver grass as mulch for the whole farm, and with the help of the rains and termites we are able to create a lot of biomass which turns into humus rich soil nutrients. The mulching keeps the soil moist and cool so that the soil microbes can survive and multiply and thrive making crop nutrients naturally.”

“I have been engaged in small workshops in many parts of Kenya , Masai Mara, Ukambani , Bungoma so Vetiver Regenerative farming is picking up by small scale farmers slowly.  l am happy that Trees for the Future has approached me to collaborate   to set up   a large Food forest. Peter Kingori (Chief Training officer for TFF is really pushing for it. If TFF adopts the system then more small scale farmers will adopt it.”

Peter Kingori – Trees for the Future writes:

This is a test that we carried out to find out the difference of an intensively mulched piece of land with non-tillage and one that’s bare and often dug. The soil was covered mainly by Vetiver grass. After 3 months, the difference is distinct – crop population, better height of the maize crop, a good harvest and little labour (weeding).”

“And when one asks a farmer why the land is not continuously under mulch, they say that the material isn’t there despite the benefit. Vetiver has all the biomass the farmer would need to keep the soil covered”.

This image shows a comparison of unmulched maize (left); mulched maize (right)

 

 

Spain: Vetiver Spain is under new ownership. Anna and Dave have retired and have sold their property and business to Petra and Suzanne. Vetiver Spain has over many years played an important role in the promotion  and supply of vetiver in Spain and the Mediterranean area generally. Thank you Dave and Anna. and good luck to Petra and Suzanne – we hope you expand the business further.

South Africa: The Department of Landcare (Limpopo) are presently planting vetiver grass using local contractors and communities in rural areas obtaining supplies from local sources and Hydromulch.

Tanzania (VETNET): from Martin Tlustos located (semi-urban)near Dodoma.  “I started with just 1 clump six years ago and now we have hundreds. I could probably fill 10 acres now, and I didn’t even try hard to propagate them. Our cattle and sheep love them. It did take some getting used to in the beginning. They thrive even in our 7 months of dry season. We use them for fodder, mulch, push and pull pest control for our maize, as boundary markers and for erosion control.

Tanzania: The new rail line running through Tanzania   — MDM Lot 2., — A total of 354 km in length was planted by main contractor Yapi Merkezi (Turkey) using local sub-contractors. Most fill slopes were planted with vetiver grass in rows or zigzag patterns. 8 plants per m2 to an area of 2.4 million m2. Estimated success around 85%.

USA : Environmental Bio Solutions (EBS) – (a Roley Noffke company) vetiver nursery in Hemingway, SC comprising of 60 000 mature plants has started supplying vetiver slips/plants commercially.

Jackson State University MS (Professor Kahn) have recently purchased 5300 plants from EBS with a pending order of 12, 000 in the pipeline. The vetiver grass is being used for research work by the university for various environmental projects.

Stevens University, NJ (Prof Sarkar), was donated 1 000 plants by EBS in July 2023 for further research projects.

 

 

 

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