Seedling Production from Seeds of a Wild Ecotype of Vetiver Grass (<i>Vetiveria zizanioides</i> L.) in Southern China

Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) is widely used for soil and water conservation, land management. In practice, all vetiver seedlings are propagated via ramets or tillers, which cannot meet the market demand would also destroy original habitat. Most genotypes flower but do not produce seeds. A wild ecotype of originated in southern China fertile, rate seed germination very low. This study aimed to develop a novel method improve its seedling establishment. field, inflorescences were wrapped using transparent plastic bag with pot containing wet soils. The effects inflorescence bagging Tween 80 application on growth examined. results showed that development was characterized by low setting (19.2%), uneven maturity time, easy shedding (more than 95% spikelets shed off 20 days after flowering), therefore difficult harvest viable Bagging moist soils ensured mature seeds falling onto nursery surface absorbing while immature continued grow inflorescence. Bigging only improved maturity, saved procedure collection storage, provided humid micro-environment growth. as surfactant promoted absorption, simple has integrated procedures collection, establishment, enables production large number healthy seedlings. possible reasons degeneration disappearance population discussed from perspective disadvantages propagation.