Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Soil Erosion Mechanics and USLE
Subtopic: Vegetative Barriers
Question Statement:
Vetiver grass (*Chrysopogon zizanioides*) is widely deployed as a vegetative contour barrier in soil conservation because it:
Options:
(A) Forms a dense permanent ground hedge with deep massive root network that filters sediment and retards runoff without producing invasive seeds
(B) Grows as an annual weed that self-inverts soil
(C) Has very shallow roots that avoid water competition
(D) Absorbs large amounts of soil nitrogen
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Vetiver produces sterile non-invasive tillers and a vertical spongy root system penetrating $2\text{ to }3\text{ m}$, forming an impenetrable natural living sieve that holds soil terraces in place.