Vetiver Grass A Thin Green Line Against Erosion (1993) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: Other Potential “Vetivers”
Appendix B: Other Potential “Vetivers”
Pages 113-127
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From page 113... ...
The types best for erosion control, on the other hand, may be the rough, tough, "unproductive" and highly unpalatable types that were previously rejected at first glance. Also, it is worth remembering that related grass species can often be hybridized.
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From page 114... ...
has probably been used in hedges against erosion more than any other grass species. It is planted on bunds for soil conservation as well as on hillsides and road cuts in Central America and elsewhere in the tropics.
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From page 115... ...
4 The plant originated in Sri Lanka, but now is grown, for instance, in Taiwan, Brazil, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Zaire, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the West Indies. Since 1930 a considerable industry has been built up in Central America, particularly in Guatemala.
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From page 116... ...
Vetiveria intermedia Yet another Queensland species, this one also likes the sandy banks of channels, growing either in the open or in partial shade. Vetiveria pauciflora This, the fourth Australian species, is found in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
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From page 117... ...
It is said to tolerate slightly saline soils. Although native to tropical Africa, this species apparently also occurs in scattered locations in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
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From page 118... ...
Sugarcane Relatives In parts of India grasses are commonly used for erosion controlnot in the single-line hedge like vetiver but in blocks or bands on bunds and berms. Among the various species employed is Saccharum moonja.
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From page 119... ...
Sorghum and Its Relatives Certain little-known types of sorghum have such strong stems that they are used as building materials and as living stakes to support climbing crops. They are so strong that West African farmers employ them to hold up even the massive weight of yam plants.
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From page 120... ...
It may be useful as a sod-forming species to cover and "clamp down" eroding sites, but as an erosion hedge it is unlikely to match vetiver. Tropical Panic Grasses In Kenya, a panic grass (Panicum sp.)
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From page 121... ...
These hedges capture the blowing snow and greatly increase crop yields. Farmers employ it mainly in semiarid areas where they want the winter snow to accumulate to build up enough soil moisture for the subsequent spring and summer crops.
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From page 122... ...
fulvida. 9 Their leaves often roll up under dry conditions, thereby covering the stomata and green tissues and conferring exceptional drought tolerance.
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From page 123... ...
It appears to be sterile; however, the clumps spread slowly outwards, and this species is considered a pesky weed in parts of Japan. Bamboos It seems likely that among the 1,250 species of the woody grasses known as bamboos, good hedge species can be found or bred for both temperate and tropical regions.
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From page 124... ...
It is considered extremely valuable for retarding erosion, and it also provides cover for wild birds and small animals. Despite its qualities, great care must be taken when testing this species on new sites.
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From page 125... ...
as hedges against erosion. These hardy, resilient, soil-improving trees have shown good growth on some dreadful sites down to bare subsoil in several cases and on bare rock in others.'4 This has been observed especially in the Craigieburn Range on the South Island, where the alders form healthy hedges that stabilize mountain screes (cascades of stones and rocky debris)
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From page 126... ...
" Van Wyk has identified about 20 types that are proving excellent for reclamation. The South African government has adopted them for protecting roads, spoil dumps, and other eroding sites.
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From page 127... ...
In one trial in India where both were left almost untouched, soil losses through thick leucaena hedges were 15-16 tons per hectare, whereas the loss through (young) vetiver hedges was only 6 tons per hectare.
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