What Is Vetiver? Other Names: Andropogon odoratus, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Vetiveria zizanioides

What is Vetiver?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Vetiver, scientifically known as Vetiveria zizanioides or Chrysopogon zizanioides, is a perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It is widely recognized for its extensive root system and its ability to thrive in a variety of environmental conditions, making it a valuable plant for soil and water conservation, phytoremediation, and agricultural applications. Other names included: Anatherum zizanioides, Andropogon odoratus, Brazilian Vetiver, Chiendent des Indes, Chiendent Odorant, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Cuscus, Cuscus Grass, Cuseus Grass, Khas, Khas-khas, Khus Khus, Khus-khus Grass, Phalaris zizanioides, Reshira, Savandara, Sugandhimula, Usheer, Ushira, Vétiver, Vetiveria zizanioides, Vetivergras, Zacate Violeta.

Soil and Water Conservation

Vetiver grass is highly effective in preventing soil erosion, particularly in tropical regions where high rainfall and weak soil structures are common. Studies have shown that vetiver grass hedgerows can significantly reduce soil erosion and improve soil accumulation, bulk density, and moisture content. For instance, vetiver grass planted at intervals across slopes in Southwest Nigeria was found to trap eroded soil and enhance the yields of intercropped maize and cassava1. Additionally, vetiver grass alleys have been shown to improve soil quality and increase crop yields by reducing runoff and soil loss7.

Salinity Tolerance

Vetiver is also known for its tolerance to salinity stress, which makes it suitable for growth in saline environments. However, high salinity levels can inhibit its growth. Research has indicated that the application of gibberellin can enhance the growth and production of vetiver under salinity stress conditions, suggesting a potential method to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity2.

Interaction with Microbiota

The growth and development of vetiver grass are influenced by its interaction with native microbiota, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytic fungi. These interactions can affect various growth parameters such as plant height and root volume. For example, vetiver grass inoculated with native microbial inoculants showed significant growth responses, highlighting the importance of microbial interactions in vetiver cultivation3.

Phytoremediation

Vetiver grass is an ideal candidate for phytoremediation, particularly in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. It has been demonstrated to effectively remove pollutants from wastewater, including nutrients and heavy metals, thereby improving water quality. In a study, vetiver grass planted in constructed wetlands showed more than 50% removal of pollutants from various wastewater sources, indicating its efficiency in wastewater treatment8.

Essential Oil Production

Vetiver is also valued for its essential oil, which is used in perfumery and aromatherapy. The quality and quantity of vetiver essential oil can be influenced by soil treatments. For instance, soil-dressing with polyacrylamide has been shown to increase the essential oil content and yield, as well as improve the root biomass and physiological attributes of vetiver6.

Agricultural Applications

In addition to its environmental benefits, vetiver grass can enhance agricultural productivity. It has been used in various land preparation methods to improve crop yields. For example, vetiver grass strips and mulch have been shown to reduce soil and water loss, thereby enhancing maize yields in Southern Nigeria10. Moreover, the use of vetiver grass in combination with organomineral fertilizers can further improve soil structure and nutrient availability, leading to higher crop productivity9.

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Uses of Vetiver

Environmental Uses

Soil Erosion Control: Vetiver grass is highly effective in preventing soil erosion. It can be used as vetiver grass strips (VGS) or vetiver grass mulch (VGM) to significantly reduce runoff and soil loss in agricultural fields2.

Phytoremediation: Vetiver is capable of removing heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) from contaminated soils, making it a valuable plant for soil remediation efforts5.

Wastewater Treatment: Vetiver grass can be used in constructed wetlands to remove pollutants from wastewater, including effluents from automobile service stations, spray painting workshops, and sewage. It effectively improves water quality by absorbing and accumulating nutrients and pollutants10.

Agricultural Uses

Forage for Livestock: Vetiver grass can be ensiled with cassava peels to create a nutritious feed for ruminants like West African dwarf goats. This combination has been shown to maintain healthy rumen and blood parameters in the animals9.

Health and Wellness Uses

Aromatherapy and Stress Relief: Vetiver essential oil is used in aromatherapy for its relaxation effects. It has been shown to reduce plasma cortisol levels, which helps in managing stress, anxiety, and depression1.

Water Purification

Biochar Production: Vetiver roots can be converted into biochar, which is effective in improving water quality by reducing pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of potassium and sodium in water7.

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Adverse Effects of Vetiver

Limited Forage Use

Vetiver grass has not been widely integrated as forage for ruminants due to its high tillering ability and leafiness. However, studies show that when ensiled with cassava peels, it does not have detrimental effects on rumen and blood parameters of West African dwarf goats, indicating it is safe but underutilized as forage2.

Soil and Environmental Impact

Vetiver grass can significantly alter soil properties. It has been shown to reduce soil pH and electrical conductivity while increasing soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities. These changes can be beneficial for soil health but may also lead to unintended ecological shifts if not managed properly4.

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How has Vetiver Improved Patient Outcomes?

Psychosocial Functioning

Improvement in Psychosocial Functioning: Participants in the VETPALS group reported significantly better psychosocial functioning compared to the control group at six months1.

Quality of Life

Enhanced Quality of Life: VETPALS participants experienced a notable improvement in their quality of life, particularly in satisfaction with health, relative to the control group at the six-month follow-up1.

Physical Functioning

No Significant Change in Physical Functioning: There were no significant differences in physical functioning between the VETPALS group and the control group over time1.

Feasibility and Acceptability

High Retention and Satisfaction: Despite low initial treatment initiation (56%), those who started the VETPALS program had high retention rates (93% attended 4 out of 5 sessions) and overall satisfaction (100% found it very helpful or better and would recommend it to a friend)1.

Implementation Challenges

Challenges in In-Person Participation: In-person participation was challenging for this population, but those who managed to initiate the treatment typically persisted1.

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Vetiver Mechanisms of Action

Inhibition of Bacterial Growth: Vetiver decoction has been shown to create a clear zone around the disk in experimental setups, indicating its ability to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. The inhibition effect increases with the concentration of the vetiver decoction, ranging from 20% to 100%1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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