March 2006 The Vetiver Network 1

GLOBAL AND REGIONALGLOBAL AND REGIONALAPPLICATIONS OF THE VETIVERAPPLICATIONS OF THE VETIVER

SYSTEMSYSTEM

RICHARD GRIMSHAWTHE VETIVER NETWORK

March 2006 The Vetiver Network 2

CONTENTSCONTENTS

Introduction - History of Application Use–Aromatic oils, handicrafts, agricultural bi-products–Soil and Water Conservation–Slope Stabilization–Flood Control - water flows–Pollution Control - tolerance to toxic materials

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VETIVER SYSTEMS APPLICATIONSVETIVER SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS

•Soil and Water Conservation•Land Reclamation•Slope Stabilization•Disaster Mitigation•Interface between Water and Structures•Improved Water Quality and Remediation ofPolluted Sites•Agricultural Uses•Other Uses•Potential uses of VS in Kuwait

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass Hedge and its functionThe Vetiver Grass Hedge and its function

CONSTRUCTED VEGETATIVE

Run-offRain

Vegetative hedges

Bank 'melts'

Earth bank or bund

5 meters

Run-off

Earth banks

Rain

Waterway

Naturalterrace

50 cm

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The Vetiver Grass HedgeThe Vetiver Grass Hedge

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass The Vetiver Grass Hedge Hedge and its functionand its function

Upper image shows a cross sectionthrough a 2 year old vetiverhedgerow. Note the dark humusband above the lower white linewas the original soil surface, above60 cm of soil has been trapped.Lower image shows the huge rootsystem of vetiver grass compared tothe minimum root growth of “local:grasses

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - St. Lucia. West IndiesThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - St. Lucia. West Indies

Photo of Vetiver hedgerows in St Lucia taken in the 1940s. Vetivergrass was used for soil conservation in many ex British CaribbeanIslands during the colonial era. Note this slope is fully stabilized.

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - ThailandThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - Thailand

Vetiver hedgerowprotecting anorchard inThailand

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - The Vetiver Grass Hedge - Jiangxi Jiangxi Province - ChinaProvince - China

Controlling erosion ona citrus farm onChina’s red soils.Vetiver grass alsoprovides an excellentsource of mulch,improves nutrientavailability to adjacentcrops

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Soil and Water ConservationSoil and Water ConservationThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - Wind breaksThe Vetiver Grass Hedge - Wind breaks

Fujian Province, China

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationReclaiming the Reclaiming the ““Red DesertRed Desert”” in south China in south China

Before and after images

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationSand dune reclamation in Central Coastal VietnamSand dune reclamation in Central Coastal Vietnam

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationGully control in the CongoGully control in the Congo

After - Gully shaped bandplanted with vetiver

Before. This gully is erodingback into a nearby village

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationGully control in Fiji (30 years after establishment)Gully control in Fiji (30 years after establishment)

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationGully control in South AfricaGully control in South Africa

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Land RehabilitationLand RehabilitationRehabilitating a quarry in AustraliaRehabilitating a quarry in Australia

Before

After

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationTable 1: Tensile Strength of Roots of Some Plants

Botanical name Common name Tensile strength (MPa)

Salix Willow 9-36*Populus Poplars 5-38*Alnus Alders 4-74*Pseudotsuga Douglas fir 19-61*Acer sacharinum Silver maple 15-30*Tsuga heterophylia Western hemlock 27*Vaccinum Huckleberry 16*Hordeum vulgare Barley

Grass, forbsMoss

15-31*2-20*

2-7kPa*Vetiveria zizanioides Vetiver grass 40-120 (Average 75**)

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationTesting site: vetiver grass versus native grassesTesting site: vetiver grass versus native grasses

Vetivernative grasses

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationStabilization of a highway embankment in MalaysiaStabilization of a highway embankment in Malaysia

After treatment with Vetiver

Before treatment

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationStabilization of a railroad embankment inStabilization of a railroad embankment in

MadagascarMadagascar

PK 75+900

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationStabilization of a building site in South AfricaStabilization of a building site in South Africa

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Slope StabilizationSlope StabilizationStabilization of a gas pipeline in tropicalStabilization of a gas pipeline in tropical

ThailandThailand

Pipeline routes are often noteasy to stabilize. These twoimages from Thailand showthe before (above) and after(below) situation. Vetiver wasused very successfully for thestabilization of extremesections of this importantpipeline that traversed verysensitive forest areas.

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Disaster MitigationDisaster Mitigation

Over the past ten years we have comeOver the past ten years we have cometo realize that Vetiver Systems couldto realize that Vetiver Systems couldhave an important role in preventinghave an important role in preventing

many disaster related problemsmany disaster related problemsresulting from extreme high rainfallresulting from extreme high rainfall

events.events.

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Vetiver Systems for Erosion and Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Erosion and Flood ControlLandslide stabilization in HondurasLandslide stabilization in Honduras

The top of the slide shown on theprevious page is heavily eroded,gullied and devoid of top soil.

Bottom. The slope is reshaped andwith a combination of vetiverhedgerows and some “hard”structures has been rehabilitated.

Since Hurricane Mitch there arewide reports that Vetiver Systemsare being increasingly used inCentral American countriesfor land slide prevention

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Vetiver Systems for Disaster MitigationVetiver Systems for Disaster MitigationRailway Rehab in Madagascar - 1Railway Rehab in Madagascar - 1

Typical damage from cyclones

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Vetiver Systems for Disaster MitigationVetiver Systems for Disaster MitigationRailway Rehab in Madagascar - 2Railway Rehab in Madagascar - 2

After VGT treatment there havebeen no closures to railroad evenafter intense cyclones.

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood control on the plainsFlood control on the plains

The Darling Downs of Queensland,Australia are subject to occasionalmassive flooding. Vetiverhedgerows have proven to be veryeffective in reducing water velocityflows and erosion on these nearlyflat lands. These images show younghedgerows.

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood control on the plainsFlood control on the plains

These two images show the impact ofmature vetiver hedgerows on theblack soils of the Darling Downs.The top image indicates no erosionfrom the flooding that has occurred.The bottom image shows theextraordinary controlled growth ofvetiver and the standing cropadjacent to it. Such a system couldbe applicable to flood plain areas.Subsequently to this application inQueensland we have learned thatvetiver removes excess nitrates,phosphates and pesticides that wouldotherwise impact on downstreamcommunities

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection in drainage areasFlood protection in drainage areas

On this Australian farmflash flooding frequentlydestroyed a concretecrossing (bottom image).

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection in drainage areasFlood protection in drainage areas

To solve the problem shown on theprevious slide two lines of vetiverwere planted above the crossing.The subsequent flash floods wereunable to uproot the vetiver and asa result the high velocity flow ofwater was unable to undermine theconcrete crossing. Subsequentlythis technique has been usedfrequently in Madagascar and othercountries.

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Vetiver Systems for Erosion and Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Erosion and Flood ControlFlood control on the plainsFlood control on the plains

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection of Sea Walls - salt water fish ponds - ChinaFlood protection of Sea Walls - salt water fish ponds - China

This sea wall protecting a salt water fish pond at a coastal China sitewas overtopped by sea water during a typhoon. It did not breach.Unprotected walls were completely destroyed

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection of sand dunes on beach property in SenegalFlood protection of sand dunes on beach property in Senegal

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection of Sea Walls - Vietnam 2005Flood protection of Sea Walls - Vietnam 2005

In 2005 Vietnam experienced its worst typhoons in 60 years. Trialplantings of vetiver proved very effective in preventing breaching ofsea walls.

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Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlVetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood and river bank protection of waterway in the MekongFlood and river bank protection of waterway in the Mekong

DeltaDelta

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Vetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andVetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andStructuresStructures

Vetiver hedgerows protecting reservoir spillway and stream inVetiver hedgerows protecting reservoir spillway and stream inZimbabweZimbabwe

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Vetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andVetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andStructuresStructures

Vetiver hedgerows protecting the interface of a bridgeVetiver hedgerows protecting the interface of a bridgeabutment in Madagascarabutment in Madagascar

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Vetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andVetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andStructuresStructures

Vetiver hedgerows protecting the inside curve of a highway inVetiver hedgerows protecting the inside curve of a highway inMalaysia from river water damageMalaysia from river water damage

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Vetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andVetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andStructuresStructures

Vetiver hedgerows protecting the river bank of a major river inVetiver hedgerows protecting the river bank of a major river insouth Chinasouth China

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

• Reduction of sediment flows.

•Containment of leachates from mine tailings,landfills, and industrial sites.

•Sewage treatment - urban and rural.

•Livestock effluent pond clean up.

•Reduction of pestcide residues and excess nitratesand phosphates from agricultural lands.

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Reduction of Sediment FlowsReduction of Sediment Flows

Sediment trapping and retention on the upside of vetiver hedgerowsin Zimbabwe (above) and Australia (right)

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Leachate Leachate containment from landfills and industrial sitescontainment from landfills and industrial sites

Treating landfillLeachate in Australia

Highly contaminatedwith heavy metals

One year after plantingOne year after planting

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Urban and Rural Sewage TreatmentUrban and Rural Sewage Treatment

Layout for tertiary sewage Australiatreatment in Australia.

Effluent clean up forsmall houses in ruralAustralia. As few as 50plants will mitigateseepage

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Livestock effluent pond treatmentLivestock effluent pond treatment

Treating piggeryeffluent

VietnamVietnam

China

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Reduction of pesticide residues and excess nitrates andphosphates from agricultural lands.

Trappingherbicides on

cotton farms inAustralia to

preventdownstream fish

kill

Vetiver Hedges

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Vetiver Systems for Agricultural ProductionVetiver Systems for Agricultural Production

Soil and Water Conservation.

Forage

Mulch and Soil improvement

Crop protection

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Vetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionVetiver Systems for Improved Water Quality and PollutionControlControl

Reduction of pesticide residues and excess nitrates andphosphates from agricultural lands.

Trappingherbicides on

cotton farms inAustralia to

preventdownstream fish

kill

Vetiver Hedges

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Vetiver Systems for Agricultural ProductionVetiver Systems for Agricultural Production Forage for livestockForage for livestock

When vetiver is cut or grazed frequently is has gooddigestibility and a crude protein level of about 13

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Vetiver Systems for Agricultural ProductionVetiver Systems for Agricultural Production Mulch and Soil ImprovementMulch and Soil Improvement

Used as a mulch for coffee and tea in Ethiopia andSri Lanka

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Vetiver Systems for Agricultural ProductionVetiver Systems for Agricultural Production Crop ProtectionCrop Protection

0

10

20

30

40

50

Surrounded mono crop by vetiver maize

Dam

aged

pla

nts

(%)

Damaged maize plants (%) in a block of maize surrounded by vetiver under field conditions

Field experiment (20 x 20 m blocks of maize)

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Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other Uses

Construction materials

Handicrafts

Medicinal

Fragrance

Flavoring

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Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesThatching materialThatching material

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Cement Replacement Material Low-cost, environmental-friendly, energy-saving construction

material can be made from vetiver grass ash as a mortar especiallyfor the rural areas

Vetiver clay tiles Rice storage silo

Thailand

Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesThatching materialThatching material

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From rootsFrom rootsfor insectfor insect

repellant userepellant use

From shootsFrom shoots

Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesHandicraftsHandicrafts

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Traditional Medicines

Dissolve gallstones; reduce fever; heal stomachdiscomfort; relief rheumatism, lumbago, headache,sprain, prostrate cancer, diabetes; improve skinconditions.

Aromatherapy balance the activity of sebaceous oil gland normalize oily skin and clear acne prevent stretch marks of pregnant women strengthen central nervous system overcome depression, insomnia, anxiety,

stress, tension and nervousness, etc.

Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesMedicinalMedicinal

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Herbal DrinksIn India:In India: Refreshing drinking water is made

from vetiver roots

In Thailand:In Thailand: Root and leaves in equalproportions are boiled in water until theliquid is concentrated; it is taken as herbaldrink

Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesHerbal drinksHerbal drinks

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Fragrance

Vetiver roots contain essential oil, thus can beused to produce various aromatic products

Natives of many countries where vetiver growsproduce traditional fragrant products from vetiver

such as potpourri, soap, hair pomade, volatile oil forskin treatment, etc.

Flavor

In India, vetiver essence is used to flavor a soft drink(Sharbat), syrup, and ice cream

Vetiver Systems for Other UsesVetiver Systems for Other UsesFragranceFragrance

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The Vetiver SystemThe Vetiver SystemApplications for KuwaitApplications for Kuwait

With supplementary irrigation or shallow groundwater (brackish water?)

Infrastructure stabilizationRehabilitation of degraded land including oil wellheadsWindbreaksForage and mulchCoastal stabilizationMunicipal waste clean up

Without supplementary irrigation

Sewage treatment (urban and rural)Wildlife habitat improvement in wetland areas

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The Vetiver Network thanks in particularPaul Truong for providing many of the

images, and the many other users of vetivergrass around the world.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements