The Vetiver Network International Blog

Latest additions to TVNI website

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:33:00 +0000

Stato della ricerca e applicazioni del Sistema Vetiver	PowerPoint (pdf)Paul Truong* and Marco Forti** Director, The Vetiver Network International and Veticon Consulting, Brisbane, Australia Email: *Coordinator, Vetiver Italia Network and Vetiver Sardegna Email:
Les Progrès Récents de R & D et Applications du Système Vétiver dans Traitement des Eaux Usées	Powerpoint (pdf) Paul Truong* et Etienne Richard** * Directeur, The Vetiver Network International et Veticon Consulting, Brisbane, Australia. Email: p.truong@veticon.com.au ** Directeur Technique, Kepwater Engineering, Lourdes, France Email: kepwater@wanadoo.fr
POTENTIAL LARGE SCALE APPLICATION OF VETIVER SYSTEM IN ITALY AND FRANCE	Paul Truong *TVNI Director for Asia and Pacific* *Brisbane, Australia*, reports on his visit to southern Europe in May 2012
Slope stabilization - Ecuador	New imagery from Ing. Daniel Mascaró
Use of vetiver in SE China for landslide debris stabilziation and more	We don't hear a lot from China but this file has some interesting applications post earthquake mitigation. Planting technique could be improved.
Integration of Vetiver System within conventional erosion control technologies in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo: VARIOUS VIEWS OF CASIS GULLY	A series of before and after images of the restoration of this massive gully. Courtesy of Alain Ndona - Vetiver Engineer
EFFECTS OF METHANE LEAKS ON VETIVER GROWTH	A useful summary of the effect of Methane discharge on vetiver grass
BOONAH SEWAGE EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT	Presentation of the use of Vetiver to clean up large scale effluent discharge in Australia
Phytoremediation of Landfill Leachate Using Vetiver at the Leon, Mexico Landfill	Presentation of landfill stabilization in Mexico - establishment phase Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Phytoremediation of Landfill Leachate Using Vetiver at the Gulf Pines Landfill	Excellent example of quality application of vetiver to a landfill project in the US. Republic and Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Evaluation of Vetiver Grass Buffer Strips and Organomineral Fertilization for the Improvement of Soil Physical Properties	Paper by Effiom Okul, Olajire Fagbola and Paul Truong
Stato della ricerca e applicazioni del Sistema Vetiver	Vetiver System presentation in Italian by Paul Truong and Marcoi Forti
Alphabetical List of Vernacular Names of Vetiver	This useful list of names has been compiled by Narong Chomchalow of Thailand. If anyone has additional names please email Narong
Vetiver System in Iran Technical Manual	Salman Shooshtarian of Iran has informed TVNI about ongoing work with VS in his country (see). He and Ali Tehranifar have translated the Vetiver Grass Manual by Truong et al into Persian and there work has now been published in by Iranian Agricultural Science Publications:http://www.adinebook.com/gp/product/6005410754
VIETNAM - DANANG - VETIVER CONFERENCE - JANUARY 2012.	Focus - civil and environmental engineering -Papers and Powerpoint presentations
Bolivia Vetiver Network	This network has a established a new website focussing on Bolivia
TVNI Financial Statements for FY 2011	This pdf file includes financial statements (Assets, use of funds and cash flow analysis). Also tax return form 990 PF
Rural Development and Environmental Protection in the Dabie Mountains of China -- New Project launched	A new project in the Dabie Mountains of China under development. Protection of irrigation ponds with vetiver, and vetiver handicraft training. China Vetiver Network and Liyu Xu
Waste Water Management Boonah, Queensland, Australia	A new project by Paul Tuong in its early stages, showing the impact of frost and the excellent recovery of vetiver from the "dieback"

Major vetiver application for pollution control in US results in prestigious award

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:25:00 +0000

Biloxi Mississippi. The leachate is pumped from pond (upper right) to drip irrigate 5 acres of vetiver (left center)

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers awarded Leggette, Brashears and Graham Inc the 2012 Grand Prize for Small Projects for "Innovative Phytoremediation Process Utilizes Landfill Leachate as a Resource in Lieu of Traditional Disposal As a Waste" see: http://www.aaee.net/E32012GPSmallProjects.php

This project relates to a landfill in Mississippi. Brad Granley and Paul Truong were very involved in the design of the project. Our congratulations!!!

"Integrated Approach - The use of phytoremediation at landfills represents an integrated approach having a profound environmental impact.

Groundwater is protected through minimization of surface water infiltration and better control of leachate within the landfill, which can otherwise result in contamination of aquifers, especially at old facilities like GCAL, which has no bottom liner.

Surface water. Vetiver reduces infiltration which helps prevent leachate seeps (leachate that flows out the side of a landfill and to surface water), and can dry up existing seeps. Vetiver also removes sediment and nutrients from surface water runoff.

Soil erosion is reduced. Leachate distribution does not create a problem with soil. The plants effectively utilize leachate compounds as nutrients. Also, a subsurface “biological treatment reactor” develops which effectively breaks down and mineralizes a wide range of compounds.

Adverse impacts to air quality are greatly reduced. Using phytoremediation at GCAL instead of hauling 3.5 million gallons of leachate per year results in the following:

1 year: 232,000 miles not driven; 38,000 gallons of diesel not burned (6 mpg); 380,000 kg CO2 emissions (10 lbs CO2/gal diesel burned)
30 years: 7 million miles not driven; 1.14 million gallons diesel not burned; 11,400,000 kg CO2 (25 million pounds CO2)
Fast growing vetiver will sequester 113,000 kg CO2/year through carbon fixation.

Quality and User Satisfaction

The GCAL project has exceeded Republic’s expectations. The system has performed as designed and nearly 100% of leachate generated has been utilized on site, well ahead of anticipated results. Republic is also thrilled with the cost savings. Phytoremediation system low-cost O&M has cut annual costs by 60%, saving millions over a standard 30-year post-closure care period. Per Republic, “the approach is a game changer for leachate management.” The work has also attracted the serious interest of other multi- billion dollar US solid waste companies. Internationally, the first three vetiver system installations in Latin America are underway for the largest solid waste company in Mexico."

How making food safe can harm wildlife and water

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:47:00 +0000

How making food safe can harm wildlife and water - A broadcast by NPR relating to the Salinas Valley California and its problems brings to mind that Vetiver hedgerows strategically placed on this agricultural land and adjacent rivers, drainage and other infrastructure could clear up some of the problems - specifically removal of excess nitrates and phosphates from runoff - reduction in agricultural chemicals in leachate, and the provision of habitat for beneficial insects that can control crop pests. Much of vetiver's ability to do just this has already been researched, see for example: Paper 1 Paper2 Vetiver has been used in California for more than 10 years for slope stabilization and has been shown to be 100% non invasive. It could be used not only in the Salinas Valley, but also in most other agricultural areas with very good agricultural and environmental effect. The folks at UC Davis and others should take a hard look at this plant and associated technology. Maybe the farmers mentioned in the NPR article might be interested too!

Climate change and the Caribbean islands.

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Criss Juliard a well respected agricultural business and watershed management consultant and experienced project manager tells me that following a visit to Jamaica relating to climate change that in his view 90% of land and water related climate change consequences in the agricultural sector might be wholly or partially mitigated by the Vetiver System including: soil and moisture conservation, ground water recharge, soil fertility improvement, agricultural pollution issues, flood reduction and associated reduction in damage, agric infrastructure protection and stabilization and more. Bi-products would include biofuel, forage, mulch amongst others. Vetiver has particular beneficial application to perennial tree crops such as coffee, cocoa, mango,papaya, citrus, and spices – all present in the Caribbean. Vetiver plant material exists in all the regions countries and propagation could be swift, economic and effective. A major Vetiver program should include communities, training, education, demonstrations, and plant production. Very large programs could provide significant employment opportunities to the unemployed. In fact some sort of individual island Land Corp linked to communities and Vetiver plant suppliers would quickly put this unique plant and technology into place quite quickly. Examples of all this can be found at TVNI website, TVNI Blog, Haiti Reconstruction, Vetiver Solutions East Bali PovertyProject/Indonesian Vetiver Network, If you think that Vetiver could play an important role to mitigate climate change please talk to your community leaders, government planners, policy makers and your local Member of Parliament. By the way if any of you want to know what is in store for the Caribbean take a look at this report: "Climate Change and the Caribbean - The Cost of Inaction" and "Climate Change in the Caribbean and the Challenge of Adaptation"

Vetiver System for Stabilizing Congo Highway slopes

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:19:00 +0000

It is really good to see what can be done in the Africa with vetiver when it is applied correctly. Alain Ndona is a young Congolese engineer from Kinshasha who has over the past 10 years been applying vetiver to large highway projects and for the stabilization and rehab of major urban gullies (the latter swallow up whole communities of houses as gully expands. Alain is now in charge of the vetiver section for one of China's largest construction companies that is working in the Congo.

Here follows two notes from Alain and his close colleague Dale Rachmeler:

Alain: "CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION LTD from Beijing. It is the main contractor with the Congolese Government and leads many others Chinese subcontractor companies.

The designs of these highway project are verified and approved by Egis (a major French design company) who I’m working with - I’m in charge of design and implementation of vetiver system for these project. The Chinese company staff have only limited knowledge about vetiver.

I have finished a short training in situ on a small part of slope for some Chinese technicians from the Beijing company and their subcontractor companies to show them how the vetiver technology must be implemented and we are waiting to see after a time how the vetiver will work on these trial".

Dale: "This effort that Alain is working on with the Chinese in Central Africa is a real treat to watch evolve. Alain began using vetiver back in 2002 and has now more than 10 years of field experience in a very difficult environment, i.e, poor soils, expensive inputs, heavy rainfall and low knowledge of many technical experts. However, his work on urban erosion control in collaboration with Roley Noffke of Hydromulch, and his work with the French Engineering firm Egis is paying dividends on road stabilization programs and other infrastructure stabilization programs. The current effort which involves among other things the importation of a million slips of Vetiver from China is simply amazing! The size and scope of the effort is stunning and I am happy to have had pleasure of working with Alain from 2003-2006."

Other work by Alain can be found at:

http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/03/vetiver-system-for-extreme-slope.html

http://www.vetiver.org/ETH_WORKSHOP_09/ETH_S3.pdf

http://www.vetiver.org/CON-Ravines%20Brazzaville.pdf

http://prvn.rdpb.go.th/files/DC04.pdf

Countries in Africa, particularly those in West Africa, including Nigeria, should be advised to pay attention to what Alain has done as similar applications can be applied to those countries which face very similar problems

Vernacular Names of Vetiver

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:30:00 +0000

Often people get confused over the vernacular names of vetiver. Below is a list of names prepared by Narong Chomchalow, published in Vibrant Versatile Vetiver, Special Bulletin No. 2003/1, Pacific Rim Vetiver Network, on pages 37-43.

The present list of vernacular names of vetiver is compiled by Dr. Narong from various sources whose origins are too numerous to mention in this archive. In most cases, they have been rechecked by the scientists of the countries of origin, although some may still be wrong in their spelling, especially for non-romanized languages where there is no standard system of transcription of local languages into Roman letters; thus a given name may be written in many different spellings. Although every attempt has been made to obtain as much as possible all vernacular names used in all vetiver-growing countries, the present list is still far from complete. Thus, readers are requested to send in their contributions for additional names, especially those used by the minority people in different dialects, or in countries/dialects which are still missing, in order to make the list as compete as possible.

The list below gives the name of the country (in bold italics) where vetiver is grown or known to exist. Vernacular names are given after the language or dialect, which is written in italics. All names are arranged in alphabetical order. Vernacular name(s) most commonly used in a given country is/are underlined. To make the list of vernacular names uniform, the first letter of every word of all vernacular names is capitalized as if it were a proper noun. This is to avoid confusion with ordinary words. A comma (,) is used to separate vernacular names. Compound names are not hyphenated, but written as two or more words, e.g. Gondha Bena, Khus Khus, Xiang Geng Chao, Vala Khas Khas.

Argentina:

Spanish: Capia

Bangladesh:

Bengali: Bangla, Benna Shoba, Binna Sopha, Ghonda Bena, Gondha Bena, Ecorban, Ecorbon, Khus Khus

Brazil:

Portuguese: Capim de Cheiro, Capim Vetiver, Grama Cheirosa, Gram das Indias, Patcholi

China:

Cantonese: Hang Gen Chao (the word ‘chao’ is spelled ‘cao’ by some authors, but pronounced ‘chao’)

Mandarin: Xiang Gen Chao

El Salvador

Spanish: Zacate Violeta

Ethiopia:

Amharic: Yesero Mekelakeya

Fiji:

English: Vetiver

France:

French: Chiendent des Indes, Chiendent Odorant, Gras Vetiver, Herbe Vetiver, Vetivert

Ghana:

Dagomba: Kulikarili

Guatemala:

Spanish: Pachuli, Pasto Violeta

India:

Ayurvedic: Ushira

Bangla: Khas, Khas Khas, Khus*, Khus Khus

Gujarati: Valo

Hindi: Bala, Balah, Bena, Ganrar, Khas, Khas Khas, Khus Khus, Onei, Panni

Kannada: Hallu, Kaadu, Kaddu, Karidappasajje Hallu, Laamancha, Laamanche, Lavancha, Vattiveeru

Malayalam: Ramaccham, Ramachehamver, Vettiveru

Marathi: Vala, Vala Khas Khas

Mundari: Birnijono, Sirum, Sirumjon

Oudh: Tin

Panjabi: Panni

Sadani: Birni

Sanskrit: Abhaya, Amrinata, Bala, Lamaja, Lamajjaka, Reshira, Sugandhimulu,Usira, Ushira, Virana

Santhali: Sirom

Telugu: Ayurugaddiveru, Kuruveeru, Lamajja Kamuveru, Vettiveellu, Vattiveeru, Vettiveerum, Vidavaliveru

Tamil: Ilamichamver, Vattiver, Vettiver, Vettiveru,Vilhalver, Viranam, Virkal, Vujal

Urdu: Khas

Unknown: Sita Mulaks (used in Ayuravedic medicine to mean ‘having cool roots’), Sugandhi Mulaka (also in Ayuravedic medicine to mean ‘sweet smellng root’)

* where spelled as Khus, the u is to be pronounced just to separate kh and s without any voice for u)

Indonesia:

Bahasa: Agar Wangi, Lara Setu, Lara Westu, Rara Weatu, Rumput Wangi

Batak: Hapias

Bugis: Sere Ambong

Buol: Akadu

Gayo: Useur

Gorontaro: Tahele

Halmahera: Babu Wamendi

Jawa: Lara Setu

Madura: Kara Bistu

Minagkabau: Urek Usa

Roti: Nausina Fuik

Sundanese: Janur, Nara Wastu, Usar

Ternate: Garama Kusu Batawi

Tidore: Barama Kusu Butai

Iran:

Persian: Bikhiwala, Khas

Laos:

Laotian: Ya Faek

Latin America (see also individual countries):

Spanish: Capia, Mora, Pasto Vetiver, Tiva, Zacate Valeriana, Zacate Vetiver, Zacate Violet(t)a

Portuguese: Pacholi, Pachuli

Malaysia:

Bahasa: Akar Wangi, Kusu Kusu, Naga Setu, Nara Setu, Nara Wastu, Rumput Wangi

Myanmar:

Myanmese: Myat Myit Hmway

Nepal:

Nepalese: Kas, Khas Khas

Nigeria (and North African countries across sub-Saharan belt):

Fulani: Chor’dor’de, Ngongonari, So’dornde, So’mayo, Zemako

Hausa: Jema

Pakistan:

Arabic: Khas

Urdu: Aseer, Daron, Khas

(Amazonian) Peru:

Portuguese: Pachuli (a name adopted from neighboring Brazil)

Philippines:

Official name in the Philippines: Moras

Bikol: Mora, Rimoras

Bisaya: Mora, Moras, Mura, Rimodas, Tres Moras

Cebu-Central Bisaya: Amoora, Muda

Iloko: Amoras, Anis de Moro

Pampango: Anias de Moras, Ilib

Panay Bisaya: Giron, Rimodas

Sambali: Rimora

Spanish: Raiz de Moras

Sulu: Narawasta

Tagalog: Moras, Moro

Portugal:

Portuguese: Capim de Boma, Capim Vetiver

Puerto Rico:

Spanish: Baul de Pobre, Pacholi

Sahel (Region in north-central Africa, south of the Sahara):

Bambara: Babin, Ngoka Ba, Ngongon

Fulani: Dimi, Kieli, Pallol

Gurma: Kulkadere

Mossi: Roudoum

Sarakolle: Kamare

Songhai: Diri

Senegal:

Bamabara: Khamara

Fulani: Toul

Poulaar: Sodorde

Tukulor: Semban

Wolof: Sep, Sepp, Tiep

Sierra Leone:

Mende: Pindi

Susu: Barewali

Temne: An-wunga Ro-gban

South Africa:

Zulu: Muskus

Spain:

Spanish: Grama de la India

Sri Lanka:

Sinhalese: Saivandera, Savandara, Savandramul

St. Vincent:

English: Khus Khus (originated from South Asian dialects, viz. Bengali, Hindi, or Urdu)

Tanzania:

Kiswahili: Vetiva

Togo:

Dagomba: Kulikarili

Thailand:

Vetiveria zizanioides:

Central and Nakhon Ratchasima: Ya Faek Hom, Ya Faek, Ya Khom Faek

Central: Faek Lum, Faek Hom, Ya Faek, Ya Khom Faek,

General (all over the country): Faek

Kamphaeng Phet: Faek Ko Takhrai, Saeng Mong

Karen-Mae Sariang: Po Sia Khi

Nakhon Phanom: Faek Som, Faek Tham

Northeastern: Kaeng Hom, Khaem Hom

Vetiveria nemoralis:

Central: Faek Don

Chiang Mai: Ya Faek

Venezuela:

Spanish: Petiver

Vietnam:

Vietnamese: Huong Bai, Huong Lau

Note: According to Ken Crismier , these two terms are not vetiver, but other wild grasses. However, according to Paul Truong these two vernacular names are applied for native species of vetiver, Vetiveria nemoralis, while the one popularly used for soil and water conservation, V. zizanioides, which was recently introduced, is known in Vietnam under the English common name, ‘vetiver’.

It is interesting to note the following:

1. Names that signify fragrance/fragrant of the root of V. zizanioides are:

Bhasa (Indonesia and Malaysia): ‘Wangi’ means fragrant, as in ‘Akar Wangi’ which means fragrant root, and ‘Ramput Wangi’ which means fragrant grass.

Thai: ‘Hom’ means fragrant, as in ‘Faek Hom’ which means fragrant vetiver, and ‘Ya Faek Hom’ which means fragrant vetiver grass.

Cantonese: ‘Hang’ means fragrant, as in ‘Hang Gen Chao’ which means grass with fragrant root (‘Gen’ means root, and ‘Chao’ means grass).

Mandarin: ‘Xiang’ means fragrant, as in ‘Xiang Gen Chao’ which means grass with fragrant root (‘Gen’ means root, and ‘Chao’ means grass).

Portuguese: ‘Cheirosa’ means fragfrant, as in ‘Grama Cheirosa’ (as used in Brazil)

Sanskrit and Hindi: ‘Sugandhimula’ i.e. ‘Sugandhi + mula’ means pleasing smell / frangrant + root (as used in Hindi and Sanskrit in India)

2. Names that signify being a grass are:

Bhasa (Indonesia and Malaysia): ‘Rumput’, as in ‘Rumput Wangi’, meaning fragrant grass.

Cantonese: ‘Chao’, as in ‘Hang Gen Chao’, meaning grass with fragrant root.

Laotian: ‘Ya’, as in ‘Ya Faek’ meaning vetiver grass.

Mandarin: ‘Chao’, as in ‘Xiang Gen Chao’, meaning grass with fragrant root.

Spanish: ‘Zacate’, as in ‘Zacate Valeriana’, ‘Zacate Vetiver’, ‘Zacate Violeta’.

Portuguese: ‘Capim’, as in ‘Capim Vetiver’ (as used in Brazil), meaning vetiver grass; ‘Capim de Cheiro’ (as used in Brazil), meaning perfume grass.

‘Gram’, as in ‘Gram das Indias’(as used in Brazil), meaning grass of the Indies;

‘Grama’ as in ‘Grama Cheirosa’(as used in Brazil), meaning fragrant grass

Thai: ‘Ya’, as in ‘Ya Faek’, meaning vetiver grass; ‘Ya Faek Hom’, meaning fragrant vetiver grass; ‘Ya Khom Faek’, meaning vetiver grass with sharp-edged leaves.

Vietnamese: ‘Huong’, as in ‘Huong Bai’ and ‘Huong Lau’, meaning vetiver grass.

Sanskrit: Kush / Kusha – this has become Khus in Hindi / Urdu, and other allied Indian languages.

3. Names that signify being a root are:

Cantonese: ‘Gen’, as in ‘Hang Gen Chao’, meaning grass with fragrant root

Mandarin: ‘Gen’ as in ‘Xiang Gen Chao’, meaning grass with fragrant root

Spanish: ‘Raiz’, as in ‘Raiz de Moras’ (as used in the Philippines), meaning root of Mora (the mulberry or something that color)

Sanskrit / Hindi: Mula / Mulak

4. Same dialects/languages used in different countries:

Bahasa:

Indonesia: Agar Wangi, Lara Setu, Lara Westu, Rara Weatu, Rumput Wangi

Malaysia: Akar Wangi, Kusu Kusu, Naga Setu, Nara Setu, Nara Wastu, Rumput Wangi

Bangla:

Bangladesh: Bangla, Benna Shoba, Binna Sopha, Ghonda Bena, Gondha Bena, Ecorban, Ecorbon, Khus Khus

India: Khas, Khas Khas, Khus, Khus Khus

Dagomba:

Ghana: Kulikarili

Togo: Kulikarili

Fulani:

Nigeria: Chor’dor’de, Ngongonari, So’dornde, So’mayo, Zemako

Sahel: Dimi, Kieli, Pallol

Senegal: Toul

Thai/Laotian (both languages are similar):

Laos: Ya Faek

Thailand: Ya Faek, Ya Khom Faek, Faek Hom, Faek Don, Faek Lum

Urdu:

India: Khas

Pakistan: Khas

5. Same names in different dialects in different countries:

Khas / Khas Khas (both are used interchangeably)

Arabic (Pakistan)

Bangla (India and Bangladesh)

Hindi (India)

Marathi: (India)

Persian (Iran)

Urdu (India and Pakistan)

Nepalese (Napal)

6. It is rather strange that the original Tamil word, ‘vettiver’ (meaning a coarse grass), in which the English common name, ‘vetiver’, and the generic name, Vetiveria, are derived, is not as popularly used as the other South Asian (North India in particular) words, namely Khas, Khas Khas, Khus, and Khus Khus.

Vietnam Vetiver Conference - Danang - January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:05:00 +0000

A Vetiver Conference was organized at Danang, Vietnam in January 2012. The Conference was organized by the Vietnam Vetiver Network, Danang University of Technology, and SBTV Construction & Advanced Technology Company.

There are some interesting papers. The papers and PowerPoints presentations can be downloaded . The page then links to files on our Google Docs site. If anyone cannot access these files I would be happy to send them to you separately.

The conference focused on civil and environmmental engineering for slope stabilization and pollution control. The papers draw primarily on Vietnam experience.

Dick Grimshaw

Bolivia Vetiver Network

noreply@blogger.com (The Vetiver Network (International)) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Joaquin Boehnert is a director of the Vetiver Network International living in South America. Over the years he has worked tirelessly to promote the Vetiver System in those countries and beyond where he has worked. Currently he is in Bolivia and has established a Vetiver Network there along with a website

Thank you Jo

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 - 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