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VETIVER |
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The Erosion is a quiet enemy that affects more than 12 million hectares in Ecuador. Is there any way to stop it and to recover the affected area? Is there a wonderful plant that can help to stop the erosion while being useful in other ways? Can this plant avoid most of the terrible consequences of the erosion?…….. We invite you to learn about Vetiver so you can discover its potential uses. |
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TECHNICAL DATA |
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| Scientific Name: There are approximately 12 species of Vetiver. The species used to erosion control are: Viteveria zizanioides, Vetiveria nigritana, Vetiveria nemoralis. Common Names: Vetiver, Tiva, Pachuli, Mura, and Capim Description: Vetiver is a graminaceae plant that is cultivated as a grass. It grows to two meters high, with a hard root system that grows vertically, reaching 5 meters under ground. Distribution: This plant has its origin in India, but it is distributed in Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and in the Mediterranean. It grows better in the tropic and sub tropic under 200 meters of altitude. |
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| FACTS | ||
| In Ecuador and the rest of the world the soil erosion constitutes a serious problem that affects a big area. The erosion does not only affect the productivity of the soil but it also produces floods, avalanches, and landslides. The current of “El NIÑO” has produced economic and human looses the past years because of the soil erosion. These facts show us that it is important to find a way to protect our lands from erosion. There are simple and effective ways to prevent these disasters and to protect nature. One of this ways is the use of Vetiver as a protective crop. |
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USES AND BENEFITS |
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| Vetiver is widely used in the construction of barriers that stops the erosion. Its dense foliage and deep roots system prevent the fertile soil to be washed by the rain and it also makes the water to filtrate slowly under grown increasing the humidity of the fields and making them more productive. Vetiver is very useful in agriculture fields, riverbanks, precipices, slopes, bridges, and others. The data shows that cultivating Vetiver can reduce the level of erosion to the acceptable level of less than 10 ton/ha per year. This characteristic is complemented with its capacity to control water pollution since it is very efficient in the absorption of N, P, Hg, Cd, and Pb. Besides its benefit for water and soil, Vetiver can be used as forage for the cattle and as building material. Its leaves are used as a craft material and for paper manufacture. Unlike other grasses, Vetiver cannot become into a plague since it does not produce rhizomes and setlocks. Its roots do not affect the development of other crops since they do not take away nutrients from the soil. The oil extracted from the roots of Vetiver is a useful international recognized by-product. It is used as antiseptic, aphrodisiac, and sedative. This oil has also very good relaxing properties. It helps people with physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. Vetiver oil can be used to treat cases of irritability and hysteria. The oil is also used as a cosmetic to treat dry skin and acne. Its qualities help to prevent and reduce wrinkles in the face and to stretch marks produced by pregnancy. It also helps the blood circulation reducing muscular pain. . |
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BIOLCOM AND VETIVER |
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In our desire to contribute to the sustainable management of the natural resources, we have developed a Vetiver nursery. We invite you to contact us if you wish to preserve the soil for future generations by cultivating the wonderful grass. We are developing the extraction of Vetiver oil so we can share with you its multiple benefits. |
