Training manual - The Vetiver Network International

2. THE PERSPECTIVES
2.1 Vetiver: The Miracle Grass
2.1.1 Unique Root System: With its extensive fibrous root system which penetrates deep
down into the soil at great depth (a specimen of 5.2 m was recorded, at the Doi Tung Development
Project, Chiang Rai, Thailand during ICV-1, as the world’s longest vetiver roots). Its roots were
found to break through hardpan as thick as 15 cm. They were also found to have ‘innate’ power to
penetrate a fairly thick layer of asphatic concrete. On slopes underlain with weathered rock,
boulders or relatively hard layer, its penetrating roots will provide anchorage by root tendron action.
Its action is comparable to a nail which could penetrate deep layers of soils whose texture may be
quite hard, and at the same time it has the ability to hold soil particles together through its extensive
fibrous roots, thus avoiding soil erosion due wind and water, making it well known among road
engineers as the ‘living nail’.
2.1.2 Unique Clumps when Grown as Hedgerows: The act of its clumps which are able to
slow down the rapid movement of water and wind is really amazing. The direct benefits of this
‘living wall’ or ‘living barrier’ are: (i) increasing organic matter and moisture in front of the
hedgerows, and (ii) acting as a sieve, and not allowing any debris to pass through but to accumulate
in front of the hedgerow.
2.1.3 Unique Living Dam: The act of both the roots and clumps as a ‘living dam’ is also
amazing. Their direct benefits are as follows: (i) adhere soil particles thus reducing soil erosion, (ii)
increase the amount of organic matter collected in front of the hedgerow, (iii) increase moisture
content in front of the hedgerow as the result of accumulation of organic matter and water, (iv) filter
out toxic substances brought in by water and, after being absorbed in the plant tissues (see its
tolerance later), these will slowly disintegrated, while clear and clean water is able to pass through
this living dam.
2.1.4 Tolerance to a Wide Range of Environmental Stresses: The Vetiver System (VS)
was first developed for soil and water conservation on the farmlands. While this application still
plays a vital role in agricultural lands, vetiver’s unique morphological, physiological and ecological
characteristics, including its tolerance to highly adverse conditions, has played a key role in the area
of environmental protection and land rehabilitation. These include tolerance to the following
adverse conditions: (i) acidity, manganese and aluminum, (ii) salinity and sodality, and (iii) heavy
metals like arsenic, cadmium, copper, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc.
2.1.5 Ability to Absorb Toxic Substances: Not only vetiver can tolerate adverse soil
conditions, but it can absorb toxic substances like pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals into its
biomass, thereby diluting such toxic substances in the soils and water, making them more safe in
agricultural and non-agricultural activities. One such activity is the use of vetiver to purify
eutrophicated water in the lake, leachate from garbage landfill, etc. It can also be used to absorb
heavy metals from quarry, and such valuable metals can be recycled by extraction from the vetiver
biomass.
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