The following images are from Liyu Xu in China. They demonstrate how vetiver grass cab be utilized for railroad embankment stabilization. In this case the embankment material was nearly pure sand and very unstable. Vetiver grass appears to have done an excellent job in the six months since it was planted. Further information is available from Liyu Xu, China Vetiver Network Coordinator.
An updated report can be found on this site
Railroad embankment prior to vetiver grass planting.................. Dipping vetiver roots into a clay slurry prior to planting
Preparing small planting trenches along embankment. .............. Newly planted vetiver
Six weeks after planting. ......................................................... Three months after planting
All three images immediately above show embankment planted with vetiver at six months after planting.. Railroad embankment stabilized.
The following are some new photos showing excellent growth from this site (Sept 2001)
