INTRODUCTION TO THE VETIVER SYSTEM

Paul Truong, The Vetiver Network and DNR&M, Brisbane, Australia

The
The Vetiver
Vetiver System
System (VS)
(VS) isis based
based on
on the
the use
use of
of aa unique
unique grass
grass species,
species, (Vetiveria
(Vetiveria zizanioides
zizanioides L.)
L.) for
for various
various
applications.
applications. VS
VS was
was first
first developed
developed byby the
the World
World Bank
Bank for
for soil
soil and
and water
water conservation
conservation in in agricultural
agricultural lands
lands in
in the
the
1980’s.
1980’s. The
The Vetiver
Vetiver Network
Network (www.vetiver.org)
(www.vetiver.org) with
with the
the support
support of of the
the World
World Bank,
Bank, thethe King
King ofof Thailand,
Thailand, the
the Royal
Royal
Danish
Danish Government
Government andand several
several Foundations,
Foundations, has
has encouraged,
encouraged, supported
supported thethe R&D
R&D and and promoted
promoted thethe application
application of
of
VS
VS world
world wide
wide through
through its
its global
global network.
network. One
One ofof the
the outstanding
outstanding successes
successes of of its
its R&D
R&D is is the
the applications
applications of of VS
VS in
in
environmental
environmental protection.
protection. The
The following
following areare examples
examples ofof these
these applications.
applications.

Vetiver contour hedge

Soil conservation, soil trapped above vetiver hedge in India Domestic wastewater treatment in Australia Septic effluent disposal system in Australia
Highway batter stabilisation in El Salvador

Protection against flood erosion in Australia Riverbank stabilisation in Malaysia Bio-filter in farm land in Australia
Bio retention in farm land in Australia

Garden hedges in Australia

Coal mine waste rehabilitation in Australia Quarry rehabilitation in China Decontamination of polluted water in Vietnam