Philippines - Farmer Feedback on the use of Vetiver - what they thought of Vetiver in the 1990s

The following are observations by Vetiver) users given  during a 1996 community workshop at Matalom, Leyte, Philippines. Note in this part of the Philippines vetiver is known as “Mura” or “Mora”. (Prepared by , Program Field Coordinator, FARMI, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines). 

Leon Pen, Barangay Chairman, Templanza, Matalom, Leyte.....”I got my first Mura (Vetiver) planting materials from one of my barangay councilmen Jacinto Gerona. I planted Mura in my farm near my house. Mura is easy to plant with minimal maintenance. It grows very well and effectively controls the down flow of soil during the rainy season. At present, the contour plots of my farm have been leveled off. In addition, I am also using Mura to cure high blood pressure in my work as Tambalan (local medicine man). The only comment I have with Mura, is that my carabaos (water buffalo) do not like to eat it”. (If you cut your Mura regularly, say once a month, your carabaos will love it...Ed)

On Farm Soil Loss and Rainfall Runoff During Major Rainfall Events

One of the consequences of climate change is that rainfall events are often less frequent and more intense.  During the 1980s a series of studies relating to vetiver grass and soil and water conservation were carried out by Dr. G.M. Bahrad of Akola University in Maharashtra, India. Here is a summary of some of that work;

Drs. G.M. Bharad and B.C. Bathkal from PKV University in Akola, Maharashtra, India have provided the Network with another season’s data on the impacts of vetiver grass hedgerows on soil loss and surface runoff.

Figures 1 and 2 show the soil loss (total and maximum one day soil losses) and surface runoff from the plots over three years and Figure 3 compares these rates to the control plot (ACROSS) from the top 10% largest storms over the three years. The individual treatments are : ACROSS = across slope cultivation only; BUND = a graded (0.2%) earthen bund at a 1 meter vertical interval with contour cultivation; LEUCAENA = Leucaena leucocephala contour hedgerows at a 1 meter vertical interval with contour cultivation; and VETIVER = Chysopogon zizanioides contour hedgerows at a 1 meter vertical interval with contour cultivation. Plots are approximately 0.35 ha, slopes are less than 2%, soils are vertisols, climate is semiarid.

On farm management of Vetiver grass hedgerows

With the increasing potential of multipurpose uses of vetiver grass hedgerow (VGH) by farmers it is important to give some thought as to how the hedges are managed - basically planting design, maintenance and harvesting. The primary purpose of VGH is for soil and water conservation, secondary uses include pest control, forage, thatch, handicrafts, waste water clean up, biomass and more.

The basic (primary) design.  Hedges should be aligned on an “average” contour as shown in this figure. 

Planting distance within the line should be 15 cm.  In image below left hand row demonstrates optimum hedge density at two years at 15 cm between plants

The linear distance between VGH will vary with slope, the rule thumb spacing for erosion control is at 2 meter Vertical Interval (VI).  Some examples: 1% slope 104 meters apart; 5% slope 38 meters; 10% 22 meters; 20% 10 meters, 25% 8 meters, and  45% 5 meters.  Often farmers on steeper slopes will start with hedgerows further apart, and then later as experience builds up they add more hedgerows between existing ones if needed. whereas on flatter slopes the farmer may have more hedges than actually needed as when used for marker lines (ridges)

On very small fields/farms/gardens planting a vetiver hedge all around the boundary of the area will provide adequate protection as well as demarcating the field boundary.

VGH management. Hedgerows can grow as high as 2 meters or more, but are often cut for various purposes during the year.  It is recommended that the minimum cutting height is 20 - 30 cm.  A 20 - 30  cm high hedge will be dense, stiff and will withstand rainfall runoff. This image can be considered a “perfect” hedge