VETIVER GRASS FOR EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

Paul Truong, DNR, Brisbane and Errol Copley, Cannon Park Lawns, Cairns
Vetiver
Vetiver Grass
Grass Technology
Technology (VGT)
(VGT) was
was first
first developed
developed forfor soil
soil and
and water
water conservation
conservation in in agricultural
agricultural lands
lands but
but due
due to
to
the
the extraordinary
extraordinary characteristics
characteristics of
of Vetiver
Vetiver grass,
grass, VGT
VGT has
has been
been used
used world
world wide
wide as
as aa very
very effective
effective and
and economical
economical
method
method for
for erosion
erosion and
and sediment
sediment control
control inin civil
civil construction.
construction. The
The Department
Department of of Main
Main Roads
Roads has
has successfully
successfully used
used
VGT
VGT onon the
the Lakeland-Laura
Lakeland-Laura and and Cooktown
Cooktown Development
Development roads
roads for
for batter
batter stabilisation
stabilisation and
and runoff
runoff control.
control.
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Vetiver is a sterile and non evasive grass with no above or

underground runners

3.3m in It is tolerant to drought, frost, fire, water-logging, disease

one year and pest.

It is tolerant to extreme soil conditions such as acidic,

alkaline, saline and sodic, as well as aluminum and
manganese and heavy metal toxicities.

Stiff and erect stem capable of trapping both

Strong root reinforcement of vetiver grass holds
fine and coarse eroded sediment
Dense and finely up this wall of soil against water erosion
Deep and penetrating root structured root system
with tensile strength of 1/6 of binds the soil on steep
mild steel reinforcement slopes against erosion

In situ cutting on a fill

slope showing 3.6m root
growth after 8 months in Water flow
Malaysia.

Cooktown Development Road Vetiver Lakeland - Laura Road Highly

Lakeland - Laura Road This cut batter at
Split Rock was badly eroded within a few
planted to protect the batter on this
highly erodible sodic soil
CONCLUSIONS unstable culvert inlet, rock is the Lakeland - Laura Road On the highly
traditional and preferred method of erodible soil at Split Rock, rock check dams on
months after earth work completion stabilisation, but it does not work on this wide table drain do not work as water just cut
Vetiver hedge can be rapidly highly erodible soil at Split Rock through the side.
established in arid conditions and
poor soils with little if any nutrients

Once established vetiver hedges are

maintenance free and withstand arid
and dry season conditions including
bush fires.

Encourages sheet flow and reduced

water run-off velocities resulting in
natural vegetation re-growth and
prevention of erosion.

Very cost effective, with savings

Cooktown Development Road Same
batter, eight months after planting.
Lakeland - Laura Road The same Split
Vigorous growth will protect this batter
Rock site, three months after vetiver planting
against high intensity rain during the wet
season.
ranging from 73% for culvert
protection to 64% for table drain and
other miscellaneous protection
works and 60% for road shoulder
protection.
Lakeland - Laura Road Eight months
after vetiver planting, this culvert is now
fully protected against high intensity rain
Lakeland - Laura Road On wide table drain,
short rows of vetiver planted on contour line ,
spread water flow, reduced flow velocity and
trapped sediment