Hello. I am thinking of starting a dragon fruit farm. I am thinking of growing vetiver as an intercrop to be used as mulch for the plants. I need information about vetiver. For how long can I keep cutting the grass growth without harvesting the roots?
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Go to the following link
https://cimap.res.in/pages/AdminHomePage.aspx
its a govt portal of CIMAP Lucknow…
Only they can provide you accurate knowledge…
CIMAP also conduct training programs to educate new persons.
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Vettiver is deep rooted and generally used to control erosion along slopes and bunds. Not as mulch, although technically you may trim above 6 inches every 30-45 days and it grows back same volume as before - not more and not less.
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Hi Bro
In my area Vetiver cultivation is ongoing in patches. I am not doing it, but I am watching the crop cultivation, so I have some idea.
Basically Vetiver will grow in any soil but cosmetically viable in sandy soil with at least 5 feet sand depth. And the roots will be like a mesh up to 5 feet. So, it will not allow any crops to grow nearby due to its dense fibrous root system. So, it will not be advisable to grow vetiver as intercrop as it will suppress the growth of the nearby main crop.
Thx
Instead you can go for lemongrass.
Grow it in a different patch, vegetative part and put it as a mulch.
Benefits
Mulching
Retains moisture
Repels insects
You will have continuous supply of vegetative parts of lemongrass with least maintenance.
Regards
Murali Raj
By nearby crops I assume you are referring to vegetables and such other which stay below 5 feet. In such cases, yes there is competition for sun and airflow which would be a problem. Otherwise for taller crops and horticulture, I have not seen any evidence where this inhebits other plants or is competition to the roots as vettiver mostly grows down vertically and there is very little lateral spread.
Instead of vattiver we Vasudha Green Farms are suggesing you to go for leafy Vegitables. else you can go for Moringa (Drumstick) as intercrop.