Cultivation and Breeding of Commercial Perfumery Grass Vetiver

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Roberty) or Vetiver is a member of the grass family Poaceae. In the Indian subcontinent, the Vetiver, a tropical grass has been known since long for its several characteristics, the grass promises for commercial benefits for farmers for its high-cost essential oil and for several industries along with sustainable management of soil erosion in tropical and semi-arid zones. Since long Vetiver was known to be used and recognized for hedging in the field on the contour to stop soil erosion, Vetiver can improve crop production through retaining moisture and nutrient conservation. Vetiver and its products were used in India for household needs, in perfumery, and many other traditional usages along with Indian Ayurvedic system medicines. In addition to its specific aromatic values, it has numerous applications in traditional medicines as well. It is rich in Khusimol, Khusinol, Vetivone, and Khusimone. Genus Vetiver shows variation, and DNA fingerprinting was used extensively to analyze the variability found in the Vetiver genus. This is of utmost benefit in creating a well-organized way of maintaining the genetic diversity in Vetiver. In this chapter, we have summarized different morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and its cultivation strategies along with molecular fingerprints developed in this perfumery grass Vetiver. Because of increasing population and less income, indigenous system of farming in the tropical and subtropical areas are changing drastically. Therefore, farmers have increased the proportion of land under cultivation for enhancing crops per capita per year and cultivating aromatic crops in the marginal land for increasing per capita produce thus also for increasing income. C. zizanoides is very much suitable for fulfilling all these needs in this challenging scenario; therefore, we have discussed significance of this Poaceae family member for preventing soil erosion and increase in essential oil yields by developing superior elite genotypes, cultivars along with its various improved methods of cultivation and breeding.