Effect of Shading and Soil Salinity on Growth of Native Vetiver Grasses

Abstract

Two vetiver grasses. Si Sa Ket which is a fragrant type and Ratchaburi which is a non-fragrant type, were planted in black plastic bags containing either normal soil or saline soil having the electrical conductivity of around 7.6 dS/m. The bags were kept under 100% sun light vs. under shading allowing 50% sun light. The growth parameters were measured were measured from number of tillers per crown, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and whole plant dry weight. Growth in saline soil was poorer than in normal soil. The fragrant type produced higher root and whole plant dry weight than the non-fragrant type. It also tended to produce higher shoot dry weight than the non-fragrant type. Both vetiver grasses grew equally well under normal and shading, Shading did not affect any of the 4 growth parameters.