A ‘miracle grass’

Many farmers now call it "miracle grass."

And they have reason to append this to vetiver, a grass species that has been found to control soil erosion and rehabilitate unproductive uplands.

Confirming this is the Farm and Resources Management Institute (FARMI) of the Leyte State University (LSU) in Baybay, Leyte.

LSU-FARMI researchers led by Dr. Edwin Balbarino tested various plants (including grasses) as contour hedgerows in barren and less productive upland farmers’ fields in the Leyte towns of Baybay, Hindang and Matalom.

Results showed that among the grasses, vetiver stood out as the best, the researchers reported.

"Vetiver could also grow very well in both alkaline and acidic upland soils and survive long droughts," they noted.

This species, scientifically named Vetiveria zizaioides L. Nash, is a densely tufted perennial clump (clustered) grass with long and stiff leaf blades. Its leaf sheaths are closely overlapping, strongly compressed and keeled, creating a dense physical barrier at the ground surface.

As the grass grows dense, it forms a thick hedge, making it a strong natural barrier to control soil runoff. It has a strong and dense root system that firmly holds the soil, making them withstand erosion even during heavy rains and intense flooding.

Vetiver can be found in many parts of the country and used by some rice farmers to strengthen rice paddies and stabilize canal embankments.

Farmers who were involved in the LSU-FARMI research project, particularly those who have decided to adopt the technology, claimed that with the use of vetiver as hedgerows, their crop production has dramatically increased. They added that it requires minimal maintenance and does not spread to alleys since it does not multiply by seeds or rhizomes.

Farmers also observed that its sharp leaves and aromatic roots repel snakes, rats, and other pests.

Owing to its great potential, the LSU-FARMI research team perfected the use of the grass as contour hedgerow and came up with the Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT) which they are now promoting.

The use of VGT has spread to many parts of the country, not only in upland agriculture but also in road, irrigation, and dam projects to control siltation and stabilize slopes, hillsides, road canals, and embankments. – RAF