Vetiver System - part 1

It has been a while since the last time that I recapped the

properties of the vetiver plant and the applications of the

Vetiver System, this goes especially towards those who

tuned on this interesting world, only recently.

One of the distinctive properties of the vetiver plant is

the root system: it is infact of massive proportions and

it developes only vertically; the incredible number of single

roots that developes are extremely fine: the average

thickness of the single root is measurable between 0,2

and 2 mm and the depth that this root system can reach

is up to 5 - 9 m. A good point to this particular type of

root is that it penetrates the soil strata wrapping the

obstacles and filling the gaps not causing any tension

or stresses to the subsoil, thoug not causing any movement

that can result in rock fall or instability of the overall slope.

The depth reached, also, is the main cause of the plant

survival in the dry period; infact humidity is always present

in the deeper strata of the soil.

The verticality of the developement also implies that the

competition for nourishment and moisture is simply not

present and does not regard adjacent crops or native

essences.

The proven sterility of the vetiver (Monto or sunshine var.)

make sure that it can be introduced in any environment

without any risk of genetic pollution.

The physiology of such plant is applied in the Vetiver System

with the aim to bring to stability almost any slope at risk

applying some simple rules: we need to create barriers

so it is important to allign the plants when planting, in

such way to obtain quickly formed hedges.

The plants will have then a density of 7 - 10 plants in the

meter. The hedges will have to be lied on the contour

in such way not to offer to rainwater any possibility of

finding an escape.

The result will be that water will penetrate in the subsoil

along each hedgerow and there will be no more sediment

flowing or erosion to modify the slope.

In a few monts then, when the plants can be considered

fully grown and the hedgerows well formed, we can assume

that the risk of instability is considerably reduced (up to 40%

increase of the shear strenght factor) thanks to the gripping

action of the root system, and above soil, a very efficient trap

eliminates any sediment flow.

The prevention of diffused erosion is furthermore the first

step towards a new type of agriculture, made of ecological

understanding and profit together, that prevents loss of

soil and fertility, pollution of watertable and food chains.

The slope then is transformed: no more only a risk, but

a safe factor that can be used to bring advantages:

the hedgerows infact infiltrate the rainwaters which are

naturally stored in the deep layers; all this water, subtracted

to a potentially destructive action in its waterways when

rains become exceptional, can be recovered in the acquifer

furter down the track, and in places like Capoterra, in

Sardinia (9 dead this year, two more in year 2000), this

application might sure be appreciated.

More to follow.......

Photo courtesy of The Vetiver Network International