Effects of Vetiver Grass and Green Manure Management on Properties of Map Bon, Coarse-Loamy Variant Soil

Abstract

A vetiver grass and bean cropping system could be used for improving physical properties of deteriorated soils. The objective of this research was to study effects of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides Nash) and green manure management on properties of Map Bon, a coarse-loamy variant of sandy loam, with low organic matter and medium erosion, at the Khao Hin Son Research Station, Chachoengsao, Thailand, from March 2001 to April 2003. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were two main plots (with and without vetiver grass) and four subplots (without bean and with either Vigna sinensis, Canavalia ensiformis, or Dolichos lablab). This work showed that the treatments with vetiver grass could increase organic matter and saturated hydraulic conductivity; however, bulk density and soil hardness decreased and total porosity and available water-holding capacity were not affected. The use of green manure affected soil hardness and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The treatments with vetiver grass and green manure could increase available water-holding capacity of the soil also.

Keywords:

• Cropping
• green manure
• Map Bon
• soil
• Vetiver grass

Acknowledgments

This project was financially supported by Khao Hin Son Research Station, Kasetsart University. Special thanks is due to Somchai Lim-Aroon, head of Khao Hin Son Research Station, Kasetsart University, for his kind suggestions and recommendations during the development of this project.