The Vetiver Network International Blog

Vetiver System Applications in Infrastructure & Environmental Protection Workshop, Danang, Vietnam, January 7th 2012

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:05:00 +0000

If any of you readers are in Vietnam or have colleagues working in Vietnam, this one day Vetiver Workshop in Danang on January 7th 2012 should be very good, and worth attending. Details below and workshop poster

Under the auspices of the Vietnam Vetiver Network, Danang University of Technology will coordinate with SBTV Construction & Advanced Technology Company to hold the Seminar: ''Vetiver System Applications in Infrastructure & Environmental Protection"

The Seminar includes the following contents:

1.Main Topics:

- Existing Soil erosion conditions in Central Vietnam after flood season in 2011.
- Introduction of Vetiver System: An Eco-friendly Technical Solution and their applications around the world.

2.Key Speakers:

- Dr. Paul Truong :TVNI Director for Asia & Oceania.

- Dr.Tran Tan Van :TVNI Associate Director, Director of Vietnam Institute of Geoscience and Mineral resources.

- Mr. Shantanoo Bhattacharyya : The coordinator of the Eastern India Vetiver Network.

- Prof. Nguyen The Hung : Vice-PresidentofVietnamAssociation of Fluid Mechanics, Head of Division of Water Resources Engineering Fundamentals, University of Danang,Vietnam.

with other International & Vietnamese Vetiver Experts.

3. Day and time: Saturday Jan 7 2012 Time : 8h 00 - 16h 00

4.Location: Danang University of Technology, 54 Nguyen Luong Bang, Lien Chieu Dist., Da Nang,VietNam

The Organizing Committee would like to invite you to attend the Seminar. Try to register by December 28th 2011

For more details, please contact us:

SBTV Construction & Advanced Techonology Company

Phone : (+84)511 384 9579 Email : info@sbtv.com.vn

Waste water treatment, bare rooted versus containerized plants, and recovery from frost

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:45:00 +0000

Paul Truong sent me this interesting power point: BOONAH SEWAGE EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT which was planned earlier in 2011 to use VS to treat sewage effluent. It is still in the early stages of development. The presentation includes some rather nice comparisons between using bare rooted plants versus containerized, and the impact of severe frost on vetiver and its subsequent recovery. Thank you Paul.

Vetiver, Stoves and Biofuel

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:07:00 +0000

I was speaking with Criss Juliard this morning and he reminded me about the good work being done by Mike Mahowald's group, Haiti Reconstruction in Haiti with respect to using vetiver for fueling efficient cooking stoves. Let me first say how impressed I am with the various programs that his group sponsors. It is doing a terrific job. It has quite a focus on the Vetiver System for: soil and water conservation, soil fertility, and biofuel.

Haiti Reconstruction is promoting TLUD stoves - Top Lit Up Draft gasifiers stoves as the best stove design for Haiti. These stoves are relatively cheap and will burn any sort of fuel including grass and vetiver produces very high heat output compared to other species; they burn cleanly and efficiently, have a good life expectancy, no dirty charcoal and no nee to use trees; smokeless, and produces biochar that can be returned to the soil. The group will also be pelletizing vetiver leaves as fuel. Assuming that a country wide vetiver program emerges for erosion and flood control, as well as for slope stabilization there will be a lot of vetiver biomass that could be used as biofuel. Incidentally these TLUD stoves should be able to be made by any village metal working shop. Other low income countries could and should follow this example.

Here are a few botanical facts about Vetiver (Gueric Boucard) with regard to Biofuel use:

1) According to Dr. Massimo Maffei of the University of Turin, Italy, Vetiver is the one plant on the planet with the highest photosynthetic activity. What this means, is that, given x amount of sunshine and sufficient water and nutrients, vetiver produces the most dry biomass per unit of time.

2) Other plants produce a tremendous tonnage of biomass per hectare like potatoes, sugarcane, sugar beets, grapes, etc. Some of these plants even yield more than 100 tons per hectare. However, such biomass contains 50% or more water moisture, and is difficult, if not impossible to dry quickly in the sun. Vetiver Hay is easily sun dried in a few hours, and produces up to 70 or 80 dry-tons per hectare of cellulosic biomass with adequate water and nutrients. Unlike other biomass, vetiver grows above ground and is relatively easy to harvest, by hand or with the right, specially designed Mower.

3) Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanoides) is from the “Gramminae” family, like many other grasses and grains. However, the variety found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic does not propagate by seed. (This is a great advantage; otherwise, it would be a terrible weed to eradicate). Instead, Vetiver is a perennial, which grows in a clump of seedlings, and which propagates vegetatively by replanting the separated seedlings. A one-year-old clump contains up to 100 seedlings. The propagation ratio is about 50:1. In other words, it takes one hectare of a Vetiver nursery to re-plant 50 hectares. Since Vetiver is technically a “rhizome”, the single seedling will grow on the periphery, until the plant reaches a diameter of 30 cm after one year and of nearly 1 meter after several years. Such a vetiver plantation can last up to 15 or 20 years without replanting. Once the plantation is established, there is virtually zero maintenance, other than watering and fertilizing. An established VETIVER plantation is a veritable BIOMASS FUEL FACTORY that only needs to be mowed as needed, any time of the year. More from Boucard

Spare a few minutes to check out Haiti Reconstruction site, I can promise you that you will learn something useful. If bilateral and multilateral development agencies would just stand back and THINK for a moment, they would soon realize that the Vetiver System will not only mitigate against extreme weather conditions, but will conserve soil, moisture and increase crop yields: and the residues can provide fuel for cooking and heat. What more can you ask from one of the cheapest and friendliest green technologies on Planet Earth. In other words VS is key for tackling CLIMATE CHANGE issues.

Dick Grimshaw

As a post script "Solar Bob" sent in these two very good and comprehensive links: Stoves and feedstock (gasification TLUD type); Latest on Stoves; and Biochar. Thank you Bob

Vetiver on coastal path in Vanuatu - 100 YEARS OLD

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:49:00 +0000

This photo from Don Miller shows 100 year old vetiver hedgerow (planted in 1912) that was planted along a coastal path. You can see clearly how it has halted the beach erosion and kept the path in place. Thank you Don for sharing the image.

I wonder who the person was who arranged to plant this vetiver? Must be some history about it. I am sure most people who use the path have no dea what the grass is and what it has achieved.

New info on Vetiver Network Website

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:13:00 +0000

Vetiver System Posters	Courtesy of Paul Truong - these posters can be downloaded and printed (high resolution)
Selection of photos showing the treatment of Lavakas (landslips) in Madagascar	This work by Yoann Coppin shows how major landslides that devastate Madagascar can be treated using Vetiver System
VETIVER SYSTEM AS A SOLUTION FOR EROSION AND SHALLOW FAILURE CONTROL OF ROAD SLOPE	Presentation relatiing to the use of vetiver for infrastructure stabilization in Indonesia
REPORT ON THE APPLICATION OF VETIVER SYSTEM IN THE CITARUM RIVER BASIN, INDONESIA	Report by Paul Truong and David Booth. On farm erosion control, river bank stabilization and pollution control
Phytoremediation of Landfill Leachate Leachate Utilization, Leachate Seep Control, Soil Stabilization, and a Potential Biofuel	Presentation by Republic and Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Includes vetiver
Erosion Control Using Modified Soils	Paper by James T. Kidd, Chung R. Song and Wongil Jang relating to erodibility of vetiver protected soil from plunging water flows
VetTri Float (Vetiver Trichur Float)	An interesting vetiver float design for small applications of waste water treatment from Kerala, India
Indonesia Country Experience with Vetiver System	A nice presentation from David Booth relating to the use of VS by the East Bali Poverty Project and by the Indonesia Vetiver Network
The Landslide Handbook—A Guide to Understanding Landslides	This is a very useful handbook by the USGS. Vetiver gets a mention. English, Spanish, Portuguese also 100% vetiver application for landslide rehab in Brazil
TVNI Analysis of Website data	Google Analytical data comparing visits to TVNI website for the 12 months Nov 2010/Novemeber 2011 with the 12 months 2006/2007

Vetiver grass, Vetiveria zizanioides: A Choice Plant for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Organic Wastes, and Organic Wastes

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:35:00 +0000

Luu Thai Danh et al (2009) explained why vetiver can perform such an outstanding phytoremedial task : "Both glasshouse and field studies showed that Vetiver grass can produce high biomass (>100t/ha/year) and highly tolerate extreme climatic variation such as prolonged drought, flood, submergence and temperatures (-15°C to 55°C), soils high in acidity and alkalinity (pH 3.3 – 9.5), high levels of Al (85% saturation percentage), Mn (578 mg kg-1 ), soil salinity (ECse 47.5 dS m-1), sodicity (ESP 48%), and a wide range of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn). Vetiver can accumulate heavy metals, particularly lead (shoot 0.4% and root 1%) and zinc (shoot and root 1%). The majority of heavy metals are accumulated in roots thus suitable for phytostabilization, and also for phytoextraction with addition of chelating agents. Vetiver can also absorb and promote biodegradation of organic wastes (2,4,6-trinitroluene, phenol, ethidium bromide, benzo[a]pyrene, atrazine). Although Vetiver is not as effective as some other species in heavy metal accumulation, very few plants in the literature have a wide range of tolerance to extremely adverse conditions of climate and growing medium (soil, sand and tailings) combined into one plant as vetiver. All these special characteristics make vetiver a choice plant for phytoremediation of heavy metals and organic wastes."

A recent summary by Paul Truong of Vetiver grass's remedial ability for phytoremediation can be found on TVNI website

Landslides and how to fix the problems

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:52:00 +0000

Recently the USGS has published and excellent guide: The Landslide Handbook - A Guide to Understanding Landslides by Lynn M. Highland, United States Geological Survey, and Peter Bobrowsky, Geological Survey of Canada.

This is a very useful guide in English, Spanish,and Portuguese . Vetiver gets some mention. Note recently some very good landslide rehab work was carried out in Brazil using VS, See this paper.

{Vetiver System} Vetiver System - A look back of 40 years of Vetiver application in Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:46:00 +0000

As we move forward we often forget the past. This link: http://www.vetiver.org/FIJ_ER1994.pdf will take you to a 1994 report by Paul Truong and Colin Creighton on the use of vetiver grass hedgerows in Fiji. "Report on the Potential Weed problem of Vetiver grass and its effectiveness in soil erosion control in Fiji". Based on the findings of this report the Government of Queensland allowed the release of Monto Vetiver to the public. Note the Fiji, Monto and Sunshine vetiver all have near identical DNA

Mr. V. Seru, the Officer in Charge of Land Use and Soil Conservation of the Fijian Department of Primary Industries (1994) made the following summary: "There is no doubt in my mind that Vetiver grass provides a very effective means of soil erosion control on steeplands. It is not a weed, it is very simple and practical for farmers to use, it does not compete with crops but it is a living barrier and it needs proper maintenance to provide the maximum benefit".

An interesting observation by one farmer indicated that where vetiver hedgerows were not used sugar cane yields were reduced by 56%

Dick Grimshaw

2 meter terrace created by trapped soil behind 30 year old vetiver hedge

30 year vetiver hedge in Fiji -note slope change upslope from hedge (used to be 20% slope)

Google earth image of 50 year old vetiver hedgerows in Fiji

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Vetiver System and Organic Farming

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:30:00 +0000

Farm Buffer boundary of vetiver - note adjacent rice paddy fields at the left

Here is an interesting practical use of vetiver in India where it was used to replace a 50 meter buffer zone to prevent chemicals from neighboring farms entering the organic farm. No data is provided but the concept fits well with what we know about vetiver acting as a "wall" against surface flow of fertilizer and pesticide/herbicide. The paper sets out the objectives and results - summed up by the organic farm inspector accepting vetiver as the buffer barrier and certifying the farm. This 35 ha farm is producing vetiver oil for herbal uses and receives premium price for its oils because they are "organically" produced.

The farm owners (C G Herbals) also use vetiver to stabilize farm roads, erosion control and protection of farm ponds - negating the need to desilt the ponds.

Now I would add that this vetiver oil producing farm could further increase its income by producing biofuel for the vetiver leaf (see recent blog on biofuel in China). AND as I have often written about in the past the sale of the vetiver crown from oil harvested plants that could be sold to landscapers, construction companies, PWD and other potential users for slope stabilization and other off farm applications. Great potential for an integrated farm operation.

Vetiver System - Biomass Fuel

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:46:00 +0000

A paper from ICV5 by Bo Huang describes how vetiver has been used to stabilize highly fractured slopes in south China. This in itself makes interesting reading. The paper also describes how vetiver biomass residue from these protected slopes has been used as pellitised fuel with good results.

Vetiver was harvested three times a year, yielding between 50 - 80 tons per ha, under quite dry conditions.

The fuel project That he describes is to produce a new energy material by adding catalyst into
amixture of by-products of eco-restoration, sawdust, straw and the plant wastes and solidifying. The project transforms the low quality biomass
fuel to the high quality, easily storied and transported, and high density biomass fuel which the thermal efficiency enhanced to 40%-50%, exceeding the energy of coal.

"(1) This biomass fuel has high hydrogen content and high volatility which is easy to ignite and has high oxygen which is easy to burn and improve the combustion efficiency, therefore, there is less carbon content in the ash.
(2). This biomass fuel has low ash content (the ash content of straw normally is about 5%, the ash content of sawdust is under 1% and the ash contend of coal is usually about 20%-30%) which can be used as fertilizer.
(3). The colorific of this biomass fuel is about 3,600-4,600kcal/kg, which is almost as equally as moderate quality coal’ colorific. Due to this biomass fuel belongs to renewable resources; it could replace a part of
fossil fuels, decreasing the emissions of greenhouse gases.

Vetiver System for land rehabilitation

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:02:00 +0000

Two interesting presentations from ICV5 demonstrated the important ability of vetiver for the rehabilitation of badly degraded land in India. One on salinity and sodic soils showed how well vetiver would grow on such soils as compared to native plants. Clearly vetiver could be used as a pioneer plant on many of those no longer productive agricultural lands - unproductive due often to past mismanaged irrigation programs. Back in the 1950s some quite large areas of new forest was regenerated on Uttar Pradesh's famous "usar" sodic lands - this experience is now forgotten. North India in particular could well use this technology for rehab.

VS treatment at the Khalsa Heritage Memorial

Another interesting case is in one in the Punjab where vetiver has been used to stabilize and rehabilitate steep and fragile slopes associated with the Khalsa Heritage Memorial. In this instance the designers were not too happy about using vetiver (exotic to the area), but there was no other effective and comparable technology. Vetiver was therefore applied and what is happening (as expected) is that vetiver has done its job. Stabilized the slopes, stopped erosion, and filtered out sediment to the ornamental ponds. In addition, as expected, native plants have naturally established, and in a few years time we can expect the vetiver to "retire" in favor of the natives. Nice job by Dr. M.P Singh of Earthizenz at Chandigarh.

Use of TVNI website increases by 173%

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:33:00 +0000

I have been analyzing TVNI Google Analytics data for our two key Internet sites. Comparing the past 12 months (2010/11) with the 12 months (2006/2007) representing the period between ICV4 (Venezuela) and ICV5 (India) we see an increase in visits viewed by 173% for the TVNI website, and for the last 12 months year - 79% for the TVNI Blog (2010/2011). Attached is a list of 200 countries showing from high to low the access of our website page. The US remains at the top, but it is interesting to see the near leaders: US (+113% change), India (+293%), Philippines (+560%), Brazil (+188%), Australia (+187%), South Africa (+573%), UK (148%), Nigeria (+1619%), Italy (136%), Germany (109%) Indonesia (169%), Thailand (61%), Ghana (816%), Ethiopia (237%).

There is still a long way to go but it is encouraging to see the increased interest. One should note the increase in India, Brazil, and the Philippines. We should also note that many small tropical countries (generally very poor), and that need Vetiver, have very little internet access (or interest?) at all. Although they might be currently served by NGOs from countries in the US, UK and Germany. Haiti data is a good example. You can draw your own assessment and conclusions.

This should be used as a guide, and should be shared with people who might be interested.

International Vetiver Conference 2011 (ICV5) - Vetiver and Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:51:00 +0000

The Fifth International Vetiver Conference (ICV5) has now completed in Lucknow, India. The conference was well attended and some interesting papers and experiences were exchanged. The individual power point (pdf format) presentations and papers submitted are available for viewing and downloading.

It is good to see an increase in interest in India, and the work done in India over the past three years (since the 2008 workshop in Kerela) is encouraging. What is clear is that VS has a definite role to play in meeting future climate change and population increase challenges.

Some general papers on climate change were presented showing how VS can be used for the mitigation of many of the land related problems associated with weather changes and impact of population on scarce resources. A special case of the rehabilitation of landslide damage in Brazil is of special interest.

There is some interesting feedback from Vietnam on the success and failure of VS applications in that country. River bank stabilization in Assam, and coastal interface stabilization in Brazil were nicely presented and articulated, along with an excellent example of landslide rehabilitation. Other aspects of slope stabilization included some massive gully rehabilitation in the Congo.

Vetiver has an important role for on farm erosion control and land rehabilitation, and it is good to see an example from India (very much like one I saw in Ethiopia a few years ago) where completely degraded land has been brought back into productive use through the application of vetiver.

For the future we must find ways of furthering the promotion of this technology via both the private and public sectors. We need to get agency policy makers to support the technology and create policies and criteria for the use of VS. Agency guidelines and specifications need to be drawn up. Large and small private sector entrepreneurs need to expand their involvement and provide the expertise and plant material to support increased public demand. Large quantities of vetiver plant material will be needed in the future - the use of VS in Madagascar is one such example. We need to encourage expansion of VS information exchange through the Internet - blogs and discussion groups focused at regional, country and local level all have a place.

For anyone working in tropical and semitropical countries you should find something to interest you in the proceedings of this conference. Please feel free to send the links to friends and colleagues.

Finally we have to thank the organizers of the conference and all those who participated and contributed to its success. The next conference, ICV6, is planned to be held in Vietnam in four years time.

Dick Grimshaw

Vetiver System Application - Technical Reference Manual - INDONESIAN EDITION - NEW

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:33:00 +0000

This manual, with Indonesian text, has the original five parts of the English Edition, plus a sixth part, by David Booth, that focuses on applications in Indonesia. The manual has been principally funded by Roley Noffke of Hydro Mulch, South Africa, with additional funds for the translation from Paul Truong. Download free.

If you know anyone in Indonesia who may be interested in this manual please refer them to this download link.

Vetiver and Native plants in California

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:18:00 +0000

Photo credit - Doug Richardson

Doug Richardson (a landscaper who uses vetiver and native plants in landscape design) planted the slope in the photo above at the Santa Barbara City College (California) some years ago. Before Vetiver was planted there was mud and rock in the street after every major storm. There have been no problems since.

Native plants have voluntarily established themselves. The image shows this slope protected with vetiver, along with the volunteer trees and shrubs that include: the tree - Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Also you can also make out a number of smaller shrubs native to this area including Coastal Sage (Artemesia californica), and Chaparral Broom (Baccharis pilularis) both of which are growing well with the Vetiver. The native Blackberry is also growing with the Vetiver but is harder to see in these photos.

Doug (who was Chairman of the Environmental Horticulture Department at Santa Barbara City College) says that experience in California is that after a season of irrigation to establish Vetiver no further irrigation is required to assure its survival. Fires are a serious problem in California. He has found that Vetiver outperforms the native grass Leymus Condensatus in maintaining green less flammable foliage in drought conditions. This does not mean that vetiver does not burn once ignited, but it produces flames that are about 6 to 8 ft high, compared to native chaparral species (like most of the Sages) which can be quick to ignite, burn at higher temperatures, throw flames 50'-100' in height (Ceanothus, Manzanita, Adenostoma, etc.) and throw embers which are large and persistent. Vetiver, as a grass with high moisture content, has less actual biomass and density than the woodier species. Vetiver sprouts quickly from its roots if burned, and this is a huge plus for subsequent erosion control not to mention the preservation of the original costs and investment that went to getting it established. If the Vetiver was used for decontaminating soils, such as a landfill, containing leachates and effluent it would be lush and green and unlikely to be flammable. Interestingly in Fiji, where vetiver (for erosion control) was grown in association with sugar cane, appeared to be only singed when the cane was burned prior to harvesting

Gulf Coast Hurricane Season. Levee protection and more

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:02:00 +0000

We have flooding in the lower Mississippi and the hurricane season is not far away. Levee failures are bound to occur, small bridges get washed away, and land areas decrease due to erosive wave action. We do not have all the answers to protect those who live in these areas, but there is a very useful role for non invasive vetiver grass to play in mitigating existing problems and preventing those in the future. Jack Bertel is a man with a mission - one that involves vetiver - he has established a number of small vetiver trials along river banks and bayous, some like this site on the left have been pretty successful, showing how well vetiver will grow under these conditions. For parish governments and individuals who are concerned about stabilizing their water related infrastructure the Vetiver System could provide a very effective and reasonably low cost solution. Jack Bertel and others are happy to share information with you. Thank you Jack for your commitment and tireless effort!

Erosion Control and Stabilizing Lavakas in Madagascar

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:51:00 +0000

A Lavaka!

The saying goes that Madagascar is eroding into the sea. I visited Madagascar in the 1990's and was astounded by the truly vicious erosion that was taking place particularly in the north. Where forests have disappeared and the land is heavily grazed one sees a topography covered in massive pockmarks comprising massive slips called "Lavakas". See image to left. The mass slippage of soil often ends up in the adjacent valley floors smothering rice fields. At that time nothing had been done to stabilize these slips and prevent continuing erosion.

A few years ago a young Frenchman, Yoann Coppin owner of La Plantation Bemasaoandro started applying the Vetiver System to mitigate various environmental problems. Recently he has been contracted to stabilize lavakas associated with a railway and electrical pylons. For more details see this file.

You should note that these applications are not for the fainthearted. The applications involve complex quality planting techniques and design.

Exposed untreated lavaka below pylon

Treated lavaka below pylon

Lavaka slope protection works above railroad

Lavaka and railroad protected and stabilized with vetiver

Vetiver System for river bank and levee stabilization

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Protection of Dora bridge abutment, Assam, India using VS

At this time of major flooding in the Mississippi River basin it is worthwhile to remind ourselves of the potential of vetiver to protect river banks and levees. There are a lot of interesting links on our website. I would like to draw your attention to some specific research at the world's leading hydraulics institution at Delft Holland and in Vietnam that might interest engineers who are looking for lowering the cost of levee and river bank protection.The original paper by Diti Hengchaovanich and Nimal S. Nilaweera relating to the tensile strength of vetiver and its impact on the shear strength of soil and thus slope stabilization can be found here.

VETIVER AT DELFT UNIVERSITY

THE USE OF VETIVERS IN COASTAL ENGINEERING

RUN-UP REDUCTION THROUGH VETIVER GRASS

REDUCTION OF WAVE OVERTOPPING BY VETIVER GRASS

VETIVER GRASS FOR RIVER BANK PROTECTION

Mekong River bank protected with VS

http://www.vetiver.org/MAL_DITI_root_strength.pdf

Vetiver System and Coffee Production

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:27:00 +0000

I see that we have new members who are interested in using VS for supporting coffee production on steep land. For others who may be interested vetiver has proven very effective in Ethiopia for reducing erosion and rainfall runoff. Note like wine vetiver hedgerows improve their performance as they get older. Coffee farmers, large and small, in Ethiopia indicate significant coffee yield increases. Vetiver can be cut for use as coffee mulch. In Zimbabwe it was noted that beneficial parasitic wasps used vetiver as a nesting habitat to the benefit of adjacent coffee. Vetiver has been used for many years in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala to protect coffee plantation roads. Vetiver could play an important role for "treating" polluted pulping waste from coffee factories.

Vetiver System - bridge protection/flood mitigation- 2

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:58:00 +0000

Even more impressive is this work by Shantanoo Bhattacharyya of Assam India (Doria Bridge). In this case VS did a much better job than geotextiles. More images

Vetiver System - bridge protection/flood mitigation- 1

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:28:00 +0000

Eroding Bridge abutment (Truong)

Bridge abutment approach 18 months after vetiver treatment (Truong)

The weakest part of any bridge in the world, including the “developed’ world, is the abutment. Bridge abutments often do not get the compaction they need to withstand the force of a flood. Whirlpools and eroding eddies caused by high pressure flood water being held back from going under the bridge can wipe out an embankment if not protected by vetiver hedges Once the abutment has been washed away, communications are severely disrupted, roads to markets can be cut for days or weeks, villages can be isolated, while the bridge can be standing in the middle of the river, isolated and useless, until it is joined to the road again, usually at great expense.

A strong flood can leave many bridges in the catchment area cut off to the public, totally impinging the communication network. In some countries, water, power and telecommunications are carried over the river, under a bridge. Once the abutment is washed out, these can be cut and take a long time to replace.

Paul has shown, with his work in Queensland that strategically placed vetiver hedges can protect bridge abutments from washouts, this is a very important use of the vetiver system that should be emphasised more. I think at the next conference on vetiver in Lucknow, Paul Truong should broach this subject as he has some very good slides of the work he did in Queensland protecting bridges.

John Greenfield

Vetiver System - Vetiver Achievements and Projects throughout Indonesia - Class 1 Technical Certification

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:16:00 +0000

There are a lot of users and "installers" of the Vetiver System that could and should be technically certified if they could find the time to apply! We are very excited to announce that David Booth M.B.E. Ardika Adinata, and the Indonesia Vetiver Network have been certified at the highest proficiency level "Class 1" having worked with the Vetiver System for more than 20 years! Their submission (7MB) has over 70 slides showing the wide range of applications that encompass agriculture, soil and water conservation, slope stabilization, pollution control, production of high quality plant material, extension, training, and handicrafts. They started using vetiver as an integral part of the East Bali Poverty Project where it reversed declining agriculture production, halted erosion, opened up slopes that previously were uncultivable and degraded, stabilized road and building infrastructure, protected critical water supply spring heads, supplied a source of material for handicrafts, and turned poverty about face! Later they applied vetiver for civil infrastructure stabilization, pollution control linked to the hotel/tourist industry, mine tailing reclamation and clean up, beach properties and land rehabilitation. They set up the Indonesian Vetiver Network and have trained individuals and companies in the Vetiver System. They have also established excellent nurseries that produce high quality plant material. In the last ten years they have supplied over 5 million vetiver plants for projects and clients. Their clients include amongst others: PT RAPP (Indonesia's largest pulp and paper mill), Indonesia Public Works Department, ExxonMobil, Asia Development Bank, PT Adaro Coal Mining Company, PT Meares Soputan (Gold mining company), PT. Sakaimait Jaya Langit Oil Palm Company, and the Oberoi Hotel.

David Booth is the man behind the East Bali Poverty Project that has impacted on 10,000 of the poorest adults and children in Bali. See this slide show. If you want to help this project contact: info@eastbalipovertyproject.org

Progress in Haiti - Vetiver System Development and Plant Suppliers

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Progress in Haiti is always exciting especially when the Vetiver System is expanding in area and application. One farmer wrote:

"Beginning next month, I will initiate the planting of 400 Km of hedgerows on 400 Ha in Arcahaie, and will promote sweet sorghum and moringa as intercrops to stabilize food security in the area. This two year program will also include support for cash crops like mangoes, and cashew nuts. We will also test saffron. I will install a 2 ton per hour press to pelletizer for vetiver leaves, and a stove production unit (biochar gassifier), to offer the biomass stoves + the biocombustible. I also propose evaluating the vetiver leaves as a media for mushroom production. (note the image above shows mushrooms growing on vetiver media in Fujian, China. It is reported that the vetiver media is far superior to rice straw.Ed.). I will also produce Pleurotus sp. under modern conditions. Pleurotus, contrary to most of other mushroom spores, can inoculate a medium with a pH of 11. That means small farmers will be able to dip the vetiver leaves in a calcium hydroxide lime bath, instead of pasteurizing it."

Here are two contacts that can supply vetiver plant material and good advice too:

Joel Ducasse -- biorsa@yahoo.com , Phone: 509-3826-7675. has a large multiplication nursery (in Arachaie-Cabaret, West of Port-au-Prince) and anothyer at Ennery, both can produce 200,000 slips a week, he also sells Vetiver by "the meter" and has employees that can plant and installs.

Luders Junior Luc -- luc_luders@yahoo.fr Tel:509 3450 4444 Luders is the Vetiver Coordinator for WINNER project; has helped establish smaller independent rural nurseries around the Northern part of Haiti. He is super busy, but also very helpful, and can get trained people in VS to provide coaching or technical support.

Vetiver System Certification

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:42:00 +0000

This is a good of the proof required for Vetiver System Technical Certification - in this case Class 2 was awarded - plant propagation and slope stabilization. Permaculturists should be interested in the addendum that includes composting vetiver roots. The work in Indonesia by Tantan Rustandi and Ade Makbul of Rasana Vetiver Indonesia (RAVI) is really very good. Take a look at the links: example_1 and addendum.

They and their company are congratulated for their commitment and innovative ideas. They initially received training from David Booth - Coordinator of Vetiver Network Indonesia.

RAVI coordinates:
Nursery 1: Kampung Badega, Cikajang, Garut, West Java, Indonesia
Nursery 2: Kampung Buleud, Sukaresmi, Garut, West Java, Indonesia
Correspondence: Jl.Kereta Kencana A5 No.38, Sektor XII Kencana Loka, Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
Phone: +62 819 0 5000 249 or +62 818 786 904 or +62-21- 75875209
Email: vetiver_idvn.java@yahoo.co.id or tantan.rustandi@yahoo.co.id

Vetiver Hedgerows for Soil and Water Conservation in Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:14:00 +0000

The photo (by John Champagne of NSW, Australia) shows one of many vetiver hedgerows in the village of Chikukwa, Zimbabwe where a community of some 8000 people are practicing permaculture. Similar use of vetiver is fairly widespread in Malawi. More on the Zimbabwe vetiver can be found at Vetiver - One Grass Revolution