KAU Develops New Vetiver Variety for Soil Conservation

The Aromatic Medicinal Plant Research Station under the KAU has found a new Vetiver type which is suited for hedge planting in soil conservation due to its non flowering nature, good growth performance, high root penetration & drought tolerance, R Chandrababu, Vice Chancellor, KAU informed.

The new type has been approved by the University level variety evaluation committee & is to be placed before State Level Variety Release Committee before it is popularized for soil conservation, said P Indira Devi, Director of Research of KAU.

The new variety of Vetiver would be ideal for both oil yield & soil conservation. The new variety (ODV-7) - which is planned to be named as Bhoomika because of its special soil binding properties - exhibits enhanced growth, tillering, root yield, root spread & oil content than the already released variety ODV-3.

The low canopy height, drooping leaves covering soil surface and extensive fibrous roots makes it ideal for soil and water conservation. Hence it can be planted along contour lines in hills, along sides of sloppy areas, drainage channels, ponds, as protective partitions in terraced fields and as border plant for roads and gardens.

It can also be cultivated as an aromatic crop for root and oil production in open areas with good sunshine.

Vetiver or Ramacham, in local parlance, is an aromatic medicinal plant and is being cultivated in Kerala for oil yield along the coastal regions of around 600 acres in Chavakkad and Ponnani areas in Thrissur.  

According to experts, South Indian Vetiver variety is considered to be the best quality for oil production as it help produce around 20-25 kg oil from more than five tonnes of root.