Naamloos

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Vetiver planting in polybags? This method of propagation is both clean and easy to maintain. . .

Two types of polybages are used for propagation namely: Small polybags for field planting and large polybags for multiplication. Using small poly bags for Vetiver field planting? The size of the polybags is 6 cm wide cm wide and 12-15 cm long when filled with soil weighs 200 grams. Appropriate to use under various development projects in the initial stages of an operation. It easy to develop and keep record of the number of bags and tillers. Suitable for direct transplanting on the land for soil and water conservation. Ensures a better survival rate and faster establishment of the vetiver grass. In forty five days 5-7 tillers can be produced/bag. Using large polybags for multiplication?Size 10cm wide and 15-25 cm long bags when filled have 15- 20cm diameter.Produces a large number of tillers; collectively called clumps.They can be kept in polybags for an extended period.Suitable for further multiplication or for separating in to individual tillers for large scale transplanting.In four months time it will produce 25 tillers/bag.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

From time to time we get questions on floating vetiver on pontoons to remove nutrients from polluted ponds and lakes.

There are lot's of different designs, you can modify the set up to suit the material you use(avoid using metallic parts as they wil rust). Don't put young vetiver plants in the water first. You have to raise them first on dry land until you have well developed roots before putting them in the water and it is important to keep the crown above the water at all time, only the roots in the water.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Vetiver is a key ingredient in many perfumes!

. . Vetiver essential oil is a highly esteemed and widely used ingredient in modern perfumery. It is one of the few oils that improve with age. Its distinctive woody, earthy odor makes it a favorite in men’s fragrances, and its relative viscosity and low volatility give it fixative properties that prolong the life of any composition. It is one of the ingredients in Chanel No. 5.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Agriculture is not crop production as popular belief holds - it's the production of food and fiber from the world's land and waters. Without agriculture it is not possible to have a city, stock market, banks, university, church or army. Agriculture is the foundation of civilization and any stable economy.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

SLOPE STABILIZATION ADVANTAGES WITH THE VETIVER SYSTEM!

The major advantage of Vetiver System over conventional engineering measures is its low cost. 

Secondly, as with other bio-engineering technologies, Vetiver System provides a natural and environment friendly method of erosion control and land stabilization which ‘softens’ the harsh look often associated with conventional engineering measures such as concrete and rock structures. This is particularly important in urban and semi rural areas where the visual degradation of the environment caused by infrastructure development is often a major concern of local population. 

Thirdly, Vetiver Systems maintenance costs are low in the long term. In contrast with conventional engineering structures, the efficiency of bioengineering technology improves with time as the vegetative cover matures. Vetiver System requires a good maintenance program in the first 1-2 years but once established it is virtually maintenance free in the long term.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

How to make money as a vetiver Farmer?

Easy! By splitting mature plants to produce bare root slips and sell the slips online or local!. .Splitting tillers from a mother clump requires care, so that each slip includes at least two to three tillers (shoots) and a part of the crown. After separation, the slips should be cut back to 20 cm length. The resulting bare root slips can be dipped in various treatments, including rooting hormones, manure slurry (cow or horse tea), clay mud, or simple shallow water pools, until new roots appear. For faster growth the slips should be kept in wet and sunny conditions until planting out.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Vetiver used as a mulch to improve soil moisture?

Vetiver grass (mainly hedges for soil conservation) planted between fruit trees, tea trees and other crop lines must be pruned several times every year. The first pruning occurs at the end of February when the dead leaves and stems that dried out during the winter are removed. Then, from the middle or latter part of June to the middle part of September another 3-4 prunings must take place. 

The pruned leaves and stems are usually used in mulch materials to help resist drought or cold injury to fruit trees, tea bushes and other crops. The mulch is usually placed at the base of the tree, bush or crop or buried in the soil while fertilizing. Farmers have adopted this practice to increase yields as it helps retain soil moisture, lowers soil temperature and resists drought in the summer, while facilitating resistance to cold in the winter.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Advantages and disadvantages of polybags and planting strips!

#Advantages Plants are hardy and unaffected by exposure to high temperature and low moisture. Lower irrigation frequency after planting. Faster establishment and growth after planting. Can remain on site for longer before being planted. Recommended for harsh and hostile conditions. 

#Disadvantages More expensive to produce. Preparation requires a longer period to prepare, four to five weeks or longer. Transporting large volume and increased weight is expensive. Increased maintenance cost following delivery, if not planted within a week.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Utilization of Harvested Vetiver Plants?

As applied to vetiver, this involves the utilization of dried, partly dried, or even freshly harvested leaves and culms, and roots of the vetiver plant, either with no processing at all, or with some degrees of processing. These include the production of: 

#nonprocessed products, e.g. roof thatch, compost, mulch, mushroom medium, animal fodder, bouquet. 

#semiprocessed products, e.g. handicraft, some industrial products, botanical pesticides, pots, low-cost silo, furniture. 

#fullyprocessed products, e.g. essential oil and its derived products, herbal medicine, pulp and paper, fiber board, pozzalan cement, and industrial products.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

9 Things you need to know if you want to be a vetiver farmer!

Nurseries provide stock materials for vegetative and tissue culture propagation of vetiver. The following criteria will facilitate the establishment of productive, easily managed vetiver nursery: 

#Soiltype -Sandy loam nursery beds ensure easy harvesting and minimal damage to plant crowns and roots. Although clay loam is acceptable, heavy clay is not. 

#Topography -Slightly sloping land avoids water-logging in case of over watering. Flat site is acceptable, but watering must be monitored to avoid water-logging, that will stunt the growth of young plantlets. Mature vetiver, however, thrives under waterlogged conditions. 

#Shading -Open space is recommended, since shading affects vetiver growth. Partially shaded areas are acceptable. Vetiver is a C4 plant and likes plenty of sun. 

#Plantinglayout -Vetiver should be planted in long, neat rows across the slope for easy mechanical harvesting. 

#Harvesting -Harvesting mature plants can be performed either mechanically or manually. A machine should uproot the mature stock 20-25cm (8-10’’) lower ground. To avoid damaging the plant crown use a single blade mouldboard plough or a disc plough with special adjustment. 

#Irrigation -Overhead irrigation will evenly distribute water in the first few months after planting. More mature plants welcome flood irrigation. 

#Trainingoperationalstaff -Well trained staff is essential to a nursery’s success.

  #Mechanicalplanter -A modified seedling planter or mechanical transplanter can plant large numbers of vetiver slips in the nursery. 

#Farmmachinery -Basic farm machinery is needed to prepare nursery beds, control weeds, cut grass, and harvest vetiver.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

The world is on fire! 

Or so it appears in this image from NASA's Worldview. The red points overlaid on the image designate those areas that by using thermal bands detect actively burning fires (read whole article below). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Vetiver grass is well-known for its fire tolerance. It is almost impossible to destroy a mature vetiver plant by fire. Field experience showed that it is not burnt readily even under very dry and windy conditions. This is due mainly to: ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 

-The growing points are underground.

-They are tightly packed and well protected by the thick crown.

-The shoots are relatively high in silica content.

Africa seems to have the most concentrated fires. This could be due to the fact that these are most likely agricultural fires. The location, widespread nature, and number of fires suggest that these fires were deliberately set to manage land. Farmers often use fire to return nutrients to the soil and to clear the ground of unwanted plants. While fire helps enhance crops and grasses for pasture, the fires also produce smoke that degrades air quality. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Elsewhere the fires, such as in North America are wildfires for the most part. In South America, specifically Chile has had horrendous numbers of wildfires this year. A study conducted by Montana State University found that: "Besides low humidity, high winds and extreme temperatures—some of the same factors contributing to fires raging across the United States—central Chile is experiencing a mega drought and large portions of its diverse native forests have been converted to more flammable tree plantations, the researchers said. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀