Vetiver Root System: Search for the Ideotype

摘要

Vetiver roots have a tufted vertically growing root structure. The roots are one of the most important organizational systems that make vetiver a miracle grass for its multifarious applications in soil and water conservation, soil health, and raw material for vetiver root handicrafts, environmental and perfumery products. A lot of diversity is found in vetiver root system in nature, and a search for root morphology and geometry could lead to a desired root type. Depending upon the requirement and specific situation it may be desirable to have a particular root type, and therefore search for root-ideotype. For extraction of essential oil and root handicrafts, thick, smooth, long and vertically growing roots with high essential oil concentration are useful, but for conservation purposes horizontal anastomosising having secondary lateral roots with least essential oil could be preferable. For reclamation and detoxification of wetlands, and intercrop support on the slopes, vertical deep growing roots with high absorption potential may be desirable, and for bioengineering purposes a combination of the two i.e. long vertically growing laterally branching, with high tensile strength would be preferable. The issues involved are discussed vis-avis organizational composition of vetiver root system.