Vetiver is a grass with very special properties that is unfortunately not very common
and is hardly made public. The plant retains water in the soil and prevents erosion. In doing so, it contributes to the ecological preservation of the soil, which can be a real blessing in the dry areas of Peru. Another very important ecological significance is that it can bind a full 60 tons of CO 2 per hectare per year!
The robust grass shrub with the scientific name “Chrysopogon zizanioides” originally comes from India. The "thousand-year-old herb" easily adapts to different climatic zones, it reached South America more than 100 years ago. The plant is now used in more than 100 countries around the world, including Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile.
The grass forms roots that grow 3 to 4 m vertically into the ground. The miraculous plant can survive for half a year without water and, paradoxically, the same in water, where it has a cleansing effect. Planted around crops or on a slope, it acts like a natural wall. This protects the earth from slipping and can even be used after environmental disasters to prevent further dangers or further slipping of the earth - e.g. to prevent water. The vertical growth of the roots also prevents them from getting in the way of other plants.
The roots hold the soil microorganisms and root fungi, so-called mycorrhizae, form, which help improve soil life. It is also good that the grass does not reproduce itself with seeds; This prevents it from growing uncontrollably. Vetiver is propagated by dividing.
The importance of vetiver for Peru
Alois Kennerknecht and Joachim Böhnert have been supporting the development of a Peruvian Vetiver Network for over 15 years. Both came to Peru through their work with German development aid and are long-standing members of the international and South American Vetiver Network, which is committed to the promising and future-oriented technology of the vetiver system for soil and water conservation in times of climate change. (www.vetiver.org).
"It all started with the idea of checking whether what is said about vetiver is really true. All expectations were exceeded!"
In 2007, Alois Kennerknecht first heard about vetiver from his intern at the time, Heike Sprenger. At that time the plant was only found sporadically in Peru. He pursued the idea of spreading the plant in Peru and rented land for propagation. Experimental plots were set up in social and military facilities, where ecological gardening and organic waste recycling were already implemented through the “ALKE” eco-silo system.
His company ALKE E.I.R.L, which he set up with his wife, Maria Tupac Yupanqui de Kennerknecht, supplies the vetiver plants, which are generally intended for erosion control measures, to the most remote areas of Peru - both on the Costa (coast) , in the Sierra (mountains) and Selva (rainforest). Over time, its use developed for many different areas such as: E.g. in agriculture, agro-forestry, mines, road construction, right up to private water purification in hotels and agro-industry.
Vetiver in social and school projects
In 2015, Alois Kennerknecht received the Nick Dolphin Award of US$ 750.00 at the 5th International Vetiver World Congress in Danang/Vietnam and used this as an opportunity to promote the spread of vetiver in social and school projects. That's why the " 1:3 system" developed, and 700,000 vetiver plants were systemically spread within 5 years: For every vetiver plant received, 3 vetiver plants were passed on to another institution after one year. A very nice idea, in my opinion.
Another impressive example of a project in Peru is the planting of 64,000 vetiver seedlings at Puente Inambari, where the "Carretera Transoceánica" (translated: transoceanic highway) connecting Peru with Brazil. In Lima, 7,242 Vetiver plants are planned for the “Parque Bicentenario Miraflores”, which is still under construction.
In the Andes, vetiver is being experimented at different altitudes: Sensational success on Lake Titicaca
According to the literature, the maximum limit for vetiver is 2600 msnm. Experiments in Huaraz at 3200 msnm and in Cuzco at 3500 msnm have already been successfully tested by Alois Kennerknecht. Now he received confirmation that vetiver thrives in Puno and Desaguadero at almost 4000 msnm. This is a great success because Lake Titicaca is polluted every day by part of the population living there and urgently needs help to clean it up. Environmentalists are already warning about the sinking of the South American lake. For years, Alois Kennerknecht's wish was to successfully install the vetiver there. The project was not easy to implement because he found no support from people he could trust. Now the weekly exchange of experiences with his latest contacts via “Zoom” has been completed. has contributed to its success.
Covid-19...
Unfortunately, the projects, which mainly came about through our own initiative, had temporarily come to a standstill. A continuation of the experiments and the start of new plantings are planned from October 2021.
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, a vetiver meeting of over 250 interested parties was planned in Peru to further promote and disseminate the technology. It would also be desirable to use the "1:3 system" to be able to continue in schools and social institutions and to be able to develop projects with organic farmers. They had expressed interest in founding a vetiver cooperative and similar activities, such as the utilization or processing of vetiver straw and vetiver roots:
The oil of calm
The earthy, woody-smelling essential oil can be extracted from the root using steam distillation. In India it is known as the "Oil of Tranquility" known. Its aroma helps eliminate feelings of weakness, depression, hypersensitivity, strong tension and anxiety, it has a calming effect and is therefore very effective in the treatment of insomnia.
Due to its long-lasting aroma, the oil is also valued as an ingredient in cosmetic products and perfumes. It promotes the regeneration of tissue and skin and is ideal for creams for mature skin as well as for the treatment of burns, wounds and acne. Its antiseptic properties are also used for after-shave lotions.
Other uses of vetiver:
In arts and crafts
as a building material
as a fire barrier
in medicine
as fuel
for paper production
as livestock feed
Mulch and
for insect control (against moths)
Note: The photos were kindly sent to me by Alois Kennerknecht or the company ALKE E.I.R.L. provided.