Template:Chapter 4.5 - Revision history

Mamta at 09:04, 13 January 2026

2026-01-13T09:04:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:04, 13 January 2026
Line 3:		Line 3:
	<div class="hero-img-2">		<div class="hero-img-2">
	[[File:4.5 image.jpeg\|300px]]		[[File:4.5 image.jpeg\|300px]]
			<p><b>Related video(s)</b>: Grass strips against soil erosion (Source: Access Agriculture)</p>
			<p><i> https://www.accessagriculture.org/grass-strips-against-soil-erosion?cat_id=1499</i></p>
	<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>		<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>
	<p>Carmount,E. (2022) Living grass barriers to prevent erosion. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>		<p>Carmount,E. (2022) Living grass barriers to prevent erosion. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>

Mamta at 13:44, 29 August 2024

2024-08-29T13:44:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 29 August 2024
Line 2:		Line 2:
	<div class="title"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada</h3></div>		<div class="title"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada</h3></div>
	<div class="hero-img-2">		<div class="hero-img-2">
	[[File:4.~~jpg~~\|300px]]		[[File:4.5 image.jpeg\|300px]]
	<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>		<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>
	<p>Carmount,E. (2022) Living grass barriers to prevent erosion. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>		<p>Carmount,E. (2022) Living grass barriers to prevent erosion. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>

Mamta at 08:29, 17 August 2022

2022-08-17T08:29:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:29, 17 August 2022
Line 83:		Line 83:
	<div class="cont-bg">		<div class="cont-bg">
	[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>		[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
	<p><i>For ~~plain picture~~ click this link for 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/~~chapter~~-5-~~--soil-health4~~.~~html~~</i></p>		<p><i>For the South Asian version (pictures only, text for you to insert), click this link for lesson 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/uploads/8/1/5/7/81574912/5.5_south_asian.pdf.</i></p>
			<p><i>For the East/South Asian version (pictures only, text for you to insert), click this link for lesson 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/uploads/8/1/5/7/81574912/5.5e.s.a.pdf</i></p>
			<p><i>For the Sub-Saharan Africa/Caribbean version (pictures only, text for you to insert), click this link for lesson 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/uploads/8/1/5/7/81574912/5.5subsaharan_africa_carribean.pdf</i></p>
			<p><i>For the Latin-America version (pictures only, text for you to insert), click this link for lesson 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/uploads/8/1/5/7/81574912/5.5latin_america.pdf</i></p>
			<p><i>For North Africa And Middle East version (pictures only, text for you to insert), click this link for lesson Chapter 5. 4.4:http://www.sakbooks.com/uploads/8/1/5/7/81574912/4.4n._africa_middleeast.pdf</i></p>
	<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>		<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>

Mamta at 11:30, 30 July 2022

2022-07-30T11:30:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 30 July 2022
Line 82:		Line 82:
	<h1 class="title-bg">Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers</h1>		<h1 class="title-bg">Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers</h1>
	<div class="cont-bg">		<div class="cont-bg">
	[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>		[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
			<p><i>For plain picture click this link for 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/chapter-5---soil-health4.html</i></p>
	<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>		<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>
	~~<p><i>For plain picture click this link for 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/chapter-5---soil-health4.html</i></p>~~
	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">
	<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>		<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>

Mamta at 11:28, 30 July 2022

2022-07-30T11:28:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 30 July 2022
Line 84:		Line 84:
	[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>		[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
	<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>		<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>
			<p><i>For plain picture click this link for 5.5:http://www.sakbooks.com/chapter-5---soil-health4.html</i></p>
	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">
	<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>		<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>

Mamta at 21:01, 22 July 2022

2022-07-22T21:01:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:01, 23 July 2022
Line 82:		Line 82:
	<h1 class="title-bg">Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers</h1>		<h1 class="title-bg">Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers</h1>
	<div class="cont-bg">		<div class="cont-bg">
	[[~~File~~:~~Capture_4~~.7.~~JPG~~]]		[[Image:5.5.jpg\|thumb\|centre\|Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmer\|Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
	~~<p>http://farmpedia.org/images/6/60/Capture_4.7.JPG~~</p>
	<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>		<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>
	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">

Mamta at 10:48, 19 July 2022

2022-07-19T10:48:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 19 July 2022
Line 77:		Line 77:
	</div>		</div>
	</div>		</div>
			</div>
			</div>
			<div style="margin-top: 30px;">
			<h1 class="title-bg">Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers</h1>
			<div class="cont-bg">
			[[File:Capture_4.7.JPG]]
			<p>http://farmpedia.org/images/6/60/Capture_4.7.JPG</p>
			<p><i>Source: MN Raizada and L Smith (2016) A Picture Book of Best Practices for Subsistence Farmers. eBook, University of Guelph Sustainable Agriculture Kit (SAK) Project, June 2016, Guelph, Canada.</i></p>
	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">
	<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>		<h3 class="title-bg">Helpful Images</h3>

Mamta at 19:41, 25 June 2022

2022-06-25T19:41:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 25 June 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<div>		<div>
	<div class="title"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada		<div class="title"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada</h3></div>
			<div class="hero-img-2">
	</h3></div>		[[File:4.jpg\|300px]]
			<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>
			<p>Carmount,E. (2022) Living grass barriers to prevent erosion. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>
			</div>
	<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">		<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
	<div class="center-side" style="max-width: 100%;margin-right: 3%;">		<div class="center-side" style="max-width: 100%;margin-right: 3%;">
	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">
	<h3 class="title-bg">Background and History </h3>		<h1 class="title-bg">Background and History</h1>
	<div class="cont-bg">		<div class="cont-bg">
	<p>Every year, a large quantity of soil is lost due to erosion caused by both wind and rain. Sheet erosion generates the greatest amount of destruction and occurs when “raindrops pound the ground dislodging soil particles which are then carried away by the surface runoff” (de la Garza, n.d.). It is a constant, yet slow form of erosion that covers large amounts of land. Unlike gully erosion, where soil is removed via drainage lines in the earth, sheet erosion is detected too late because it removes small quantities of soil over an extended period of time (de la Garza, n.d.). To combat erosion, living grass vegetative barriers can be implemented to slow water flow via their dense root system. An example of this is vetiver grass, a vegetative barrier system introduced by the World Bank in India as a low cost development project aimed at soil and water conservation (Grimshaw, 1993). Vetiver grass was already being used by South Indian farmers for approximately 200 years (Greenfield, 1990).</p>		<p>Every year, a large quantity of soil is lost due to erosion caused by both wind and rain. Sheet erosion generates the greatest amount of destruction and occurs when “raindrops pound the ground dislodging soil particles which are then carried away by the surface runoff” (de la Garza, n.d.). It is a constant, yet slow form of erosion that covers large amounts of land. Unlike gully erosion, where soil is removed via drainage lines in the earth, sheet erosion is detected too late because it removes small quantities of soil over an extended period of time (de la Garza, n.d.). To combat erosion, living grass vegetative barriers can be implemented to slow water flow via their dense root system. An example of this is vetiver grass, a vegetative barrier system introduced by the World Bank in India as a low cost development project aimed at soil and water conservation (Grimshaw, 1993). Vetiver grass was already being used by South Indian farmers for approximately 200 years (Greenfield, 1990).</p>

	</h3></div>		</h3></div>
	<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">		<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
Line 19:		Line 21:

	<p>The grass is planted as a narrow hedge (less than 1 meter wide) to create a barrier across the slope of the land. If applied correctly it will slow rainfall runoff by spreading it out evenly and trapping runoff sediments to create natural terraces down the hillside. Vetiver grass is fairly inexpensive compared to more traditional practices that try to tackle the problem of soil erosion (Grimshaw 1993). Typically, there is a lack of funds, costs are too high, and the solutions put in place are ineffective and/or inappropriate for small farms. Vetiver grass can also grow over under a variety of conditions, is non-competitive with surrounding crops, is not a weed, is both pest and disease resistant, and can be used as fodder for livestock. Additionally, the grass is used to stabilize embankments and roads, is fire resistant and needs little maintenance (Grimshaw 1993). </p>		<p>The grass is planted as a narrow hedge (less than 1 meter wide) to create a barrier across the slope of the land. If applied correctly it will slow rainfall runoff by spreading it out evenly and trapping runoff sediments to create natural terraces down the hillside. Vetiver grass is fairly inexpensive compared to more traditional practices that try to tackle the problem of soil erosion (Grimshaw 1993). Typically, there is a lack of funds, costs are too high, and the solutions put in place are ineffective and/or inappropriate for small farms. Vetiver grass can also grow over under a variety of conditions, is non-competitive with surrounding crops, is not a weed, is both pest and disease resistant, and can be used as fodder for livestock. Additionally, the grass is used to stabilize embankments and roads, is fire resistant and needs little maintenance (Grimshaw 1993). </p>
			</h3></div>
	</h3></div>
	<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">		<div class="ch-navber" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
	<div class="center-side" style="max-width: 100%;margin-right: 3%;">		<div class="center-side" style="max-width: 100%;margin-right: 3%;">

Mamta at 19:17, 11 June 2022

2022-06-11T19:17:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:17, 11 June 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<div>		<div>
	<div class="~~ch-owner~~"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada		<div class="title"><h3>4.5 - Living grass barriers to prevent erosion</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Erica Carmount, University of Guelph, Canada

	</h3></div>		</h3></div>
Line 26:		Line 26:
	<h3 class="title-bg">Possible Benefits</h3>		<h3 class="title-bg">Possible Benefits</h3>
	<div class="cont-bg">		<div class="cont-bg">
	<p>Soil conservation and moisture retention		<p><u>Soil conservation and moisture retention</u>-
	From Louisiana to India to Malaysia, farmers have witnessed both increased soil and moisture retention by implementing vegetative barriers, especially vetiver grass. As runoff races down a slope, it cause unnecessary erosion and very little moisture is stored. Once runoff reaches the grass hedges, it slows down, spreads out, drops its silt load, and oozes through the hedges as most of the water soaks into the soil (Greenfield 1990). No soil or excessive amount of water is lost. An effective vegetative barrier like vetiver grass slows and almost permanently reduces soil loss from almost 143 tons to 1.3 tons per hectare in one year. On protected land, with any sort of slope, there is a chance that valuable fertilizers and topsoil will be lost. Vetiver’s spongy root system binds the soil up to 3m below the plant, creating a “curtain” that prevents gullying and tunneling (Greenfield 1990). Gully erosion is created by the removal of soil via rain along drainage lines (Agriculture Victoria, 1999), wherein tunnel erosion is the removal of subsoil by rain, leaving a tunnel in its place (Queensland Government, 2013).</p>		From Louisiana to India to Malaysia, farmers have witnessed both increased soil and moisture retention by implementing vegetative barriers, especially vetiver grass. As runoff races down a slope, it cause unnecessary erosion and very little moisture is stored. Once runoff reaches the grass hedges, it slows down, spreads out, drops its silt load, and oozes through the hedges as most of the water soaks into the soil (Greenfield 1990). No soil or excessive amount of water is lost. An effective vegetative barrier like vetiver grass slows and almost permanently reduces soil loss from almost 143 tons to 1.3 tons per hectare in one year. On protected land, with any sort of slope, there is a chance that valuable fertilizers and topsoil will be lost. Vetiver’s spongy root system binds the soil up to 3m below the plant, creating a “curtain” that prevents gullying and tunneling (Greenfield 1990). Gully erosion is created by the removal of soil via rain along drainage lines (Agriculture Victoria, 1999), wherein tunnel erosion is the removal of subsoil by rain, leaving a tunnel in its place (Queensland Government, 2013).</p>

	<p>Durability and Versatility		<p><u>Durability and Versatility</u>-
	Vetiver grass is both a xerophyte and a hydrophyte plant and can undergo long periods of drought, as it can withstand very little water, and flooding, whereby it acts as an aquatic plant. Therefore, it will have no problem growing in upland or wetland settings (Aalbersberg, n.d.). Vetiver grass will grow under a variety of conditions, in both the tropics and semi-tropics, on almost all types of soils, regardless of their pH level or salinity. “This includes sands, shales, gravels, even soil with high levels of aluminum toxicity” (Aalbersberg, n.d.). However, it does best on well-drained sandy loam. Vetiver will grow in climatic conditions of 200-6000mm of rainfall per year, with temperatures ranging from -9 to 45°C. It will also grow at most altitudes, taking the temperature into consideration (Grimshaw and Helfer, 1995). </p>		Vetiver grass is both a xerophyte and a hydrophyte plant and can undergo long periods of drought, as it can withstand very little water, and flooding, whereby it acts as an aquatic plant. Therefore, it will have no problem growing in upland or wetland settings (Aalbersberg, n.d.). Vetiver grass will grow under a variety of conditions, in both the tropics and semi-tropics, on almost all types of soils, regardless of their pH level or salinity. “This includes sands, shales, gravels, even soil with high levels of aluminum toxicity” (Aalbersberg, n.d.). However, it does best on well-drained sandy loam. Vetiver will grow in climatic conditions of 200-6000mm of rainfall per year, with temperatures ranging from -9 to 45°C. It will also grow at most altitudes, taking the temperature into consideration (Grimshaw and Helfer, 1995). </p>

	<p>Animal Fodder		<p><u>Animal Fodder</u>-
	If managed correctly, the young leaves of vetiver grass are edible and can be used as fodder for livestock. However, in most cases vetiver is generally not eaten by livestock. For example, a case study in Malaysia shows that sheep will not eat vetiver when there are other vegetative options but “cut tops” were consumed when given to penned sheep (Grimshaw 1993). </p>		If managed correctly, the young leaves of vetiver grass are edible and can be used as fodder for livestock. However, in most cases vetiver is generally not eaten by livestock. For example, a case study in Malaysia shows that sheep will not eat vetiver when there are other vegetative options but “cut tops” were consumed when given to penned sheep (Grimshaw 1993). </p>

	<p>Low Competition		<p><u>Low Competition</u>-
	Vetiver grass is non-competitive, meaning it will not significantly hinder the crop it is meant to protect and will therefore not have a negative impact on crop yield. Vetivers’ roots contain beneficial mycorrhiza, so the grass may actually improve crop yields (Aalbersberg n.d.). For example, when grown with cassava, elephant grass hedges were shown to reduce yield by almost 33%, wherein there was no yield loss when grown with vetiver hedges (Grimshaw 1993). Similarly, vetiver is not considered a weed because it is effectively sterile as its roots are not stoloniferous and it does not produce rhizomes. A rhizome is “a horizontal underground plant stem capable of producing the shoot and root systems of new plants” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014). There is a possibility that natural spreading will occur under swamp conditions but not under upland conditions. It is recommended that only the non-seeding “accessions” be used (Grimshaw 1993). </p>		Vetiver grass is non-competitive, meaning it will not significantly hinder the crop it is meant to protect and will therefore not have a negative impact on crop yield. Vetivers’ roots contain beneficial mycorrhiza, so the grass may actually improve crop yields (Aalbersberg n.d.). For example, when grown with cassava, elephant grass hedges were shown to reduce yield by almost 33%, wherein there was no yield loss when grown with vetiver hedges (Grimshaw 1993). Similarly, vetiver is not considered a weed because it is effectively sterile as its roots are not stoloniferous and it does not produce rhizomes. A rhizome is “a horizontal underground plant stem capable of producing the shoot and root systems of new plants” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014). There is a possibility that natural spreading will occur under swamp conditions but not under upland conditions. It is recommended that only the non-seeding “accessions” be used (Grimshaw 1993). </p>

	<p>Low Cost		<p><u>Low Cost</u>-
	Vetiver grass is a more economically sound option than conventional engineered systems that can cost up to $500 per hectare, compared to $30 per hectare for vetiver grass. The economic return is more than 90% compared to only 20% with conventional systems. Costs can also vary between site conditions: on slight inclines, vetiver grass can be implemented in 50 m intervals, in which case only 100 m of hedge is needed per hectare. Likewise, on steeper clines of approximately 60%, the distance between hedges is much less, wherein 2500 m of hedge is required per hectare. Hedges may stand 4m part or less. The cost also depends on how planting materials are acquired. For example, plants grown in nurseries are more expensive than those produced through mechanical methods. The most economically viable solution is to divide pre-existing vegetative hedges for replanting as new hedges (Grimshaw 1993). This method might be the best option in situations where access to seeds is limited. </p>		Vetiver grass is a more economically sound option than conventional engineered systems that can cost up to $500 per hectare, compared to $30 per hectare for vetiver grass. The economic return is more than 90% compared to only 20% with conventional systems. Costs can also vary between site conditions: on slight inclines, vetiver grass can be implemented in 50 m intervals, in which case only 100 m of hedge is needed per hectare. Likewise, on steeper clines of approximately 60%, the distance between hedges is much less, wherein 2500 m of hedge is required per hectare. Hedges may stand 4m part or less. The cost also depends on how planting materials are acquired. For example, plants grown in nurseries are more expensive than those produced through mechanical methods. The most economically viable solution is to divide pre-existing vegetative hedges for replanting as new hedges (Grimshaw 1993). This method might be the best option in situations where access to seeds is limited. </p>
	</div>		</div>

Mamta at 13:44, 9 June 2022

2022-06-09T13:44:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 9 June 2022
Line 83:		Line 83:
	http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/hdl/index/assoc/HASHf4f4.dir/p062.png </p>		http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/hdl/index/assoc/HASHf4f4.dir/p062.png </p>
	<p>This picture gives a better understanding of the different types of erosion that plague farmers who do not protect their fields.		<p>This picture gives a better understanding of the different types of erosion that plague farmers who do not protect their fields.
	http://images.slideplayer.com/17/5334503/slides/slide_19.jpg~~(Greenfield 1990)~~.</p>		http://images.slideplayer.com/17/5334503/slides/slide_19.jpg.</p>

	<div style="margin-top: 30px;">		<div style="margin-top: 30px;">