Why Vetiver System is effective for steep slope stabilization - GEOTROPISM

Geotropism of vetiver (P.K.Yoon)

Paul Truong, Technical Director of TVNI brings us this amazing photo gallery of VS demonstrating extreme slope stabilization from Africa, Asia and and South America. The presentation "Geotropism of Vetiver" is compelling.  It starts with work by Dr. P.K.Yoon of Malaysia, author of "A Look See at Vetiver Grass in Malaysia" that demonstrates the strong geotropism characteristics of vetiver grass.  He did this experiment to show how vetiver could be grown in open ended horizontal tubes that were inserted in to shot-crete near vertical walls on a highway batter in HongKong.  You can see in the image to the left the extraordinary horizontal displacement of the roots from the leaves.  This is clearer at larger scale in the photo essay.  The balance of the essay shows images of vetiver applied to very steep slopes under various conditions of slope, soils, and climate.  In addition you will see how complimenting engineering techniques are sometimes associated with VS, to assure complete stability particularly in the first few years of development.  The associated techniques can be considered (if affordable) as a sort of insurance.  This photo essay should be classified as a "MUST SEE" and should be shared with all those interested in long term slope stability and erosion control at a time when there are very serious environmental challenges due to global climate change.  The Vetiver System allows slope stabilization technology to be extended to even the most insignificant projects that in todays world of funding constraints would otherwise never be stabilized except by the chance of nature.  Planners, designers, and developers please NOTE!!
Dick Grimshaw