<p>Soil erosion is a major environmental challenge in tropical regions, particularly on vulnerable lateritic and sandy slopes where vegetation cover is sparse or degraded. This study investigates the erosion reduction potential of <i>Chrysopogon zizanioides</i> (vetiver grass), specifically the OD V7 Bhoomika cultivar, as a sustainable bioengineering solution for slope protection. This study evaluates the role of vetiver root morphology under varying soil and climatic conditions in reinforcing the soil matrix. Vetiver plants were grown under controlled conditions, and their root morphology, including length, diameter, and density was periodically recorded. A series of laboratory-scale rainfall simulation experiments were conducted using vegetated and non-vegetated soil columns packed with laterite and coastal sandy soils.Erosion parameters such as runoff rate, sediment yield, and root-soil interaction were measured and compared. Results demonstrate that vetiver roots significantly reduce both runoff and sediment loss, with a greater effect in the case of sandy soils. The root system enhanced aggregate stability and soil cohesion, leading to an average reduction in erosion of over 65% compared to bare soil columns in the case of sandy soils. In lateritic soils, vetiver also exhibited a substantial erosion reduction effect, though comparatively lower than in sandy soils, due to the inherently higher cohesion and finer particle composition of laterite. Nevertheless, the presence of vetiver roots improved soil structure and resistance to detachment, resulting in a notable decrease in runoff and sediment yield. The findings confirm the ecological compatibility and mechanical effectiveness of vetiver grass in stabilizing erosion-prone slopes especially in the case of soils prevalent in tropical regions which experience extreme rainfalls. This study supports the broader application of vetiver-based strategies as low-cost, sustainable solutions for land degradation control in tropical climates.</p>