Kerala Agricultural University develops a new Vetiver variety for soil conservation

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has recently developed a new variety of Vetiver. This variety would be ideal for both oil yield and soil conservation.

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

The University has discovered a new south Indian type Vetiver accession with profuse root growth for soil binding in sloppy lands and coastal areas.

South Indian Vetiver variety is believed to be of the best quality for oil production as it assists production of around 20-25 kg oil from more than five tonnes of root.

The new Vetiver type is perfect for hedge planting in soil conservation because of its non- flowering nature, good growth performance, high root penetration and ability to tolerate drought.

The new type has got its approval by the University level variety evaluation committee and is to be presented before State Level Variety Release Committee before it is promoted for soil conservation.

The properties of the new Vetiver variety (ODV-7) which is suggested to be named ‘Bhoomika’ due to its properties like soil binding leading to enhanced growth, tillering, root yield, root spread and oil content that is more than the already released variety ODV-3.

It can be planted alongside contour lines in hills, along sloppy areas, drainage channels, ponds, as protective partitions in terraced fields and as border plant for roads and gardens. It can also be grown as an aromatic crop for root and oil production in open areas with good sunshine.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.