Andy Bradford Vetiver, the miracle grass Vetiver zizanioides

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Andy BradfordVetiver, the miracle grassVetiver
zizanioides
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Vetiver, the miracle grass
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Content

• Morphological characteristics
• Physiological characteristics
• Ecological characteristics
• Uses Strategies
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Conclusion

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Morphological Characteristics

• Massive finely structured root system
• Fast growing (rooting depth 34m)
• Stiff and upright stem
• Tolerant of relatively deep water
• Grows into dense hedges
• New shoots emerge from base
• New roots develop from nodes

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Physiological Characteristics

• Tolerance to extreme climatic variation
• prolonged drought, flood, submergence extreme
  temperature (14oC to 55oC)
• Highly tolerant to adverse soil conditions
• soil salinity, sodicity, acidity (pH range 3,0
  to 10,5), aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper,
  chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel,
  selenium zinc

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Ecological Characteristics

• Highly intolerant to shading, reduces growth
  may eliminate plant
• Best suited to open ground
• Weed control during establishment
• Pioneer plant on disturbed lands
• Trees shrubs will shade out vetiver, but will
  then replace vetiver as the main stabilizing
  agent

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Uses Strategies

• Reduces runoff soil erosion
• Conserves soil moisture
• Sediment Trap
• Stabilizers slopes, banks, terraces gullies
• Protects masonry terraces, road edges, river
  banks, aqueducts, bridges irrigation channels
• Thatching material
• Rehabilitation of toxic lands

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Vetiver Oil The essential oil is extracted by
steam distillation from the chopped, dried and
soaked roots and rootlets. One of the most
earthy essential oils - use when you are
overusing your brain or mental capacities or when
you feel spaced out. It is a wonderful
anti-stress oil and a strengthener when the body
is debilitated. Possible Uses Acne, arthritis,
cuts, depression, exhaustion, insomnia, muscular
aches, oily skin, rheumatism, sores, stress.
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Advantages

• Very simple, practical inexpensive
• Low maintenance
• Very effective means of
• soil water conservation, sediment control, land
  stabilization rehabilitation
• Multiple uses
• Environmental friendly
• Does it offer a miracle solution?

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Disadvantages

• Seed easily spread in the wind
• may become a weed, infesting an area
• Unpalatable to livestock (unsuitable fodder)
• Not suitable for human consumption
• Not a suitable option for small holdings
• Oil extraction unlikely option for poor farmers
• Lower stabilizing qualities than trees shrubs
• World Bank publicity campaign

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