Cultivation of bamboo.pdf

TRAININGMANUALTM 04 11/04CultivatingBambooNATIONAL MISSION ON BAMBOO APPLICATIONSTechnology Information, Forecasting, and Assessment Council (TIFAC)Department of Science and Technology, Government of India

PlantingPLACING THE PLANTING material in previously prepared pitsis an important activity, signifying the initiation of a bambooplantation.Planting should be done in the early hours of the morning, with theplanting material being stored in a convenient and shaded part of theplantation site. If natural shade is not available, arrangements should bemade for temporary cover.Planting should be completed in a short period of time and, as far aspossible, should be undertaken simultaneously. After the first year,further planting may be needed to cover gaps due to mortality of plants.SPACINGThe spacing to be followed while planting bamboo will depend on thespecies to be planted, the primary objective of the plantation, and localclimatic and soil conditions.The size and physical dimensions of the species to be planted is animportant determinant of planting density. Higher densities (i.e. closerspacing) are appropriate for small-sized bamboos, and lower densities(i.e. more spaced out) are appropriate for larger-sized bamboos.If the plants are spaced too far apart, the plantation will suffer fromcanopy exposure, loss of soil moisture through evaporation, andcompetition from weeds and other vegetation. An unduly denseplantation will lead to bamboo plants competing amongst themselves forlight, space, soil moisture and nutrients.If the main objective of the plantation is to have a steady stream of

PLANTINGculm output, the following guides to spacing may be followed.• For medium-diameter, thick-walled species, 5 x 5 metres. This requires 400clumps per hectare, or 160 clumps per acre. This spacing is good for Bambusatulda, Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus brandisii. Underwell-managed conditions it can go up to 6 x 6 or 7 x 7 metres.• For smaller species, like Ochlandra travancorica, 4 x 4 metres spacing willsuffice. This requires 625 plants per hectare.• For larger species, like Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, the spacing can be 7 x 7metres, or 205 plants per hectare. For Dendrocalamus giganteus this can go upto even 10 x 10 metres, or 100 plants per hectare.If the primary objective is soil stabilization, smaller spacing may befollowed: even 3 x 3 metres (1,100 plants per hectare) will suffice.If the objective is erosion control along river banks or landslide/avalanche protection, the spacing can be 3 x 3 metres or even 2.5 x 2.5metres. In such cases, bamboo can be interspersed with appropriate,fast-growing timber species.Bund and Trench MethodThe bund and trench method of spacing involves planting bamboo on 1-metre-wide and 50-centimetre-high bunds. The bunds are prepared bydigging trenches and heaping the dug-out soil. The distance from thecentre of one bund to that of the next on a 5 x 5-metre plantationshould be 5 metres. Bunds and trenches should be preparedsufficiently in advance so as to stabilise them before planting is taken up.The bund and trench method has several advantages. Bamboo plantedon bunds with a base of well-worked soil, turned over from thetrenches, will grow well. In subsequent years, more soil can be dug outof the trenches and heaped or mounded around the bamboo clumps.The method facilitates mounding as the plants grow. The trenches

TRAINING MANUALCULTIVATING BAMBOOcan be used for irrigation, or for preparing vermicompost.The initial cost of establishing a plantation using this method may beslightly high compared to conventional planting. This cost is howeverlikely to be more than recovered in subsequent mounding andmanagement operations, and through improved productivity.Triangular SpacingFor commercial plantations raised for culm timber or for shoot,staggered planting in a triangular grid is recommended. This involvesdigging pits in alternating rows in the same line, with the row in themiddle consisting of pits placed at the centre point of the preceding row.This allows for optimum utilisation of land area, and maximises thespreading space available to each clump. At the same time, it ensures auniform distance between rows of plants, which can be used forintercropping and vermicomposting, and allows for easy passage.PITSAfter clearing the land and before digging the pits, pit sites should beidentified by using a measuring tape to ensure the desired spacing, andthen marked with wooden or bamboo sticks at the spot that will be thecentre of the pit. The pit should be deep enough to ensure that the rootsof the plants do not curl up once the planting material is placed in it,and are not cramped in their search for moisture and nutrients.

PLANTINGA thumb rule is, ‘the larger the pit, the better the growth of rhizomes’,but this rule has a trade-off in terms of cost-effectiveness. Offsetsand rhizomes should be planted in pits measuring 60 x 60 x 60 to100 x 100 x 100 centimetres. For seedlings and branch cuttings, the sizecan be reduced to 30 x 30 x 30 or 45 x 45 x 45 centimetres.Pits should be dug much before the rainy season and the dug-out soilexposed to weathering.Pits should be spaced according to the requirement of the bamboospecies or the management objective of the plantation.Careful planting minimizes the risks of failure.• A few days before planting, thoroughly turn the soil in the pit.• Remove weeds and competing vegetation within a radius of 3–4 feet fromthe pit.• For a pit size of 60 x 60 x 60 centimetres, mix the soil with one basket (5kilograms) of farm yard manure (FYM), 100 grams urea, 100 grams superphosphate, and 50 grams muriate of potash. Nitrogen in the ammoniumform increases water uptake, resulting in faster growth.• Place the plant vertically in the pit, ensuring that the roots do not curl.• Level the pit with the mixed and enriched soil.• After planting, irrigate with 12–20 litres of water, depending on theprevailing climatic conditions. This will provide the needed moisture to therhizome and roots, and compact the loose soil around the plant.• Repeat the watering the next day, moderating the quantity of water ifwarranted. For the next 10 weeks, provide water if there is no rain or littlerain, at daily intervals initially, extending later to once in three days.