Khus

• Scientific name: Vetiveria zizanioides Stapf.

a. Environment:

• Tropical and subtropical climate
• Average annual rainfall 100-200cm.
• A well- drained rich sandy loam to clayey loam soils.
• It can be grown river banks and partially undated rich marshy lands.
• can tolerate prolonged drought and long seasonal flooding.

b. Cultivation:

• Propagation:- Seeds, Rooted slips
• Preparation of Land:- Deep ploughing, one harrowing and leveling is preferred.
• Sowing Season:- Seeds are sown in N.B. – May- June.
• Rooted slips planted in the main field – July – August.
• Seed Rate:- 1-1.5kg of seeds/hec.
• Spacing:- Rx P = 60×30/45cm.or 50 x 25. or 60 x50cm.

c. Management:

• Manures and Fertilizers:- 15-20 tones FYM /compost / ha. 60:30:30kg of NPK/ha
• Interculture:- 2-4 weeding and hoeing. 2 months after planting earthing up is done to make ridge and furrow
• Irrigation- 2—3 Irrigations or even more, if necessary.

d. Harvesting:

• The aerial parts are first cut off at a length of 15 to 20 cm and are removed.
• The root clumps are then dug out and beaten.
• The soil is further dug out up to a depth of 1m.
• The roots are cleaned and dried in shade for a week.

e. Yield:

• 4-6 tones of fresh roots /ha. and 25-30kg of oil/h.
• Good quality dried roots yield 1.5 to 3% volatile oil and fresh roots give 0.6 to 1.0% oil.

f. Chemical evaluation:

• The principal constituents are ‘Vetiverol’ and Vetivone.
• The oil also contains vetiverone, vetiverols, vetivernyl, vetivernate, vetivene, palmitic acid and benzoic acid.

g. Actions:-

• Antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, stimulant, tonic and vermifuge (expels intestinal worms.)

h. Uses:

• Vetiver oil is very valuable and widely used in scenting of soaps, cosmetics and perfumes.
• It is used as a natural fixative.
• The oil is suitable for blending with Patchouly, Jasmine, Lavender, Sandal wood, Rose and Ylang Ylang oil.
• They are employed for flavouring cold drinks.
• The roots possess medicinal properties as tonic, refrigerant, Stimulant etc.