Review: Role of Vetiver Grass ( Vetiver zizanioides L) for Soil and Water Conservation in Ethiopia

Abstract

Today land degradation is a critical issue in developing country including Ethiopia; as a result, it threats agricultural crop productions, which expose the people under the power of poverty. Applying an integrating with physical structure or alone vetiver grass contributes incredible benefits in reversing degraded land via soil and water conservation practice. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the role of Vetiver grass for soil and water conservation in Ethiopia. Vetiver grass was introduced in Ethiopia since 1970s in Jimma research center for the purpose of preventing invasion of couch grass in the coffee production area and later time it was used for soil and water conservation purpose. Due to its exceptional characteristic, vetiver grass plays great roles in reducing soil erosion, runoff and improving soil fertility, and soil moisture and terrace formation. Even though it has been restoring degraded land for more than fourth decades in Ethiopia there are no enough documents. The advantages of Vetiver grasses were not yet known in Ethiopia except some that of soil and water conservation. Therefore, further research, experience sharing, and documentation should be encouraged throughout the country.