I have just established runoff plots with vetiver grass ( from nursery) as barriers against erosion, when is appropriate to sample runoff and sediment under natural rainfall? Assuming rain falls after six months of establishment, can these data form part of the experiment?
I think that your data deserve to be included in the study. If I were you, I would try to give also some additional data referred to the status of your strip. For example, rather than knowing that you collected the first samples after, let say, six months (and thus assuming your strip is well established), make some assessment on strip's vegetation. I think that a percent cover, average plant height and aboveground biomass would suffice.
Vetiver grass takes at least 4 to six months for good establishment so as to protect soil from runoff. Ofcourse it depends upon the physical parameters of soil like slope, texture, bulk density, infiltation rate and hydrualic conductivity of soil. Vetiver is able protect soil from sheet erosion even up to 60% of slope. The amount of rainfall alos one of the factors to consider in this aspect. You can refer the following research papers
1) AN ASSESSMENT OF STRENGHT PROPERTIES OF VETIVER GRASS ROOTS IN RELATION TO SLOPE STABILIZATION .....Diti Hengchaovanich and Nimal S. Nilaweera
2) Vetiver Grass The Hedge against Erosion The World Bank Washington, D.C. (First edition 1987, Fourth edition April 1993) ISBN 0-8213-1405-X
With respect, I think that is better to built a progressive living process substrate than plot a single specie and you dont have the problem of the season or the lost of nutrients. I did it.
When planted from individual stakes, with proper separation (10 cm or less), vetiver edges can take about six month in closing spaces and reaching final functionality. In this case, we recommend to carry on runoff and sediment measurements from the first day of planting. This information will be very useful for assessing the evolution of vetiver edges efficiency.
However, the most efficient method for evaluating live edges, is planting the whole adult plant, with no spaces between them. In a few days, edges reach a reasonably efficiency.
I agree with Mr. Riazuddin Ahmed's explanation. Vetiver takes at least 4 to 6 moths to establish. I would also suggest you to give more emphasis on the pattern of Vetiver grass strip.
The data is valuable so long as you record the conditions and all relevant information. The more data we have for this amazing plant the better. The more detail you give the more valuable the results.
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