Implementation and Effect of Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) on Soil Erosion in Somodo Watershed, South-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil conservation is one of management strategies to prevent the soil being eroded from earth's surface. The aim of this study was to assess implementation and effect of Vetiver grass on soil erosion in Somodo watershed. Community mobilization was used to implement Vetiver grass on farm lands as bund stabilization and grass strip. Accordingly, more than 45km (20%) of the watershed was covered by Vetiver grass on soil bund. The hedge was fully established within two years and formed averagely 36 cm raised terrace. The result of the study showed that within two years period about 36 cm soils was accumulated above the hedgerow. In addition, field slope was reduced on average by 2.5% due to soil accumulated above Vetiver hedgerow.  And phosphorus availability was found higher on the above hedgerow than below the hedge row while, exchangeable acidity was found less above the hedgerow than below the Vetiver hedgerow in the watershed. The study recommends Vetiver hedgerow as an immediate measure for soil erosion on hill slopes and farm lands which can be implemented through community mobilization. Further study on how the Vetiver hedgerow improves phosphorus availability and decreases exchangeable acidity is also highly recommended.

Keywords: Vetiver grass, Hedge row, Soil erosion