WBC-VIII-Vol.4 – Resources – Forestry, Plantations and ... - BambuSC

Table 14: Benchmark analysis of species in KEFRI Bamboo Trial in Kakamega
KEFRI Trial Site Location: Kakamega Ave. Performance in Natural Range in Asia Comparative Performance in Kakamega
Species H D WT DM AC EY CY H D WT DM H D WT DM
D. hamiltonii 10 10 10 11.5 19 21.8 8.7 20 10 15 33.6 50% 100% 67% 34%
B. tulda 6 7 10 4.7 17 8.0 3.2 18 10 17 33.9 33% 70% 59% 14%
D. membranaceus 7 7 8 4.5 17 7.6 3.0 18 10 10 20.7 39% 70% 80% 22%
D. asper No Data available 0 22 12 20 58.5 No Data available
B. vulgaris 8 7 9 5.7 28 16.0 6.4 15 7 10 11.8 53% 100% 90% 48%
D. brandisii 12 11 15 22.3 17 37.9 15.2 25 12 18 60.4 48% 92% 83% 37%
D. strictus 5 7 25 8.7 11 9.6 3.8 10 8 30 23.6 50% 88% 83% 37%
B. bambos 4 7 10 3.1 22 6.9 2.8 20 12 18 48.3 20% 58% 56% 7%
T. siamensis 5 2.5 9 1.1 28 3.1 1.2 9 4 15 5.3 56% 63% 60% 21%
D. giganteus Not Planted 25 15 22 92.5 No Data available
C. pergracile No Data available 18 8 6 10.1 No Data available
Table 15: Benchmark analysis of species in KEFRI Bamboo Trial in Muguga
KEFRI Trial Site Location: Muguga Ave. Performance in Natural Range in Asia Comparative Performance in Muguga
Species H D WT DM AC EY CY H D WT DM H D WT DM
D. hamiltonii 9 10 10 10.3 28 29.0 11.6 20 10 15 33.6 45% 100% 67% 31%
B. tulda 6 7 10 4.7 17 8.0 3.2 18 10 17 33.9 33% 70% 59% 14%
D. membranaceus 7 6 6 2.9 17 4.9 2.0 18 10 10 20.7 39% 60% 60% 14%
D. asper No Data available 0 22 12 20 58.5 No Data available
B. vulgaris 7 7 9 5.0 28 14.0 5.6 15 7 10 11.8 47% 100% 90% 42%
D. brandisii 10 10 18 19.8 17 33.7 13.5 25 12 18 60.4 40% 83% 100% 33%
D. strictus 5 6 23 6.7 11 7.4 3.0 10 8 30 23.6 50% 75% 77% 29%
B. bambos 4 6 9 2.4 22 5.3 2.1 20 12 18 48.3 20% 50% 50% 5%
T. siamensis 5 3 9 2.4 28 6.8 2.7 9 4 15 5.3 56% 75% 60% 46%
D. giganteus Not Planted 25 15 22 92.5 No Data available
C. pergracile 10 6 5 3.5 17 5.9 2.4 18 8 6 10.1 56% 75% 83% 34%
As the preceding tables show, the average culm size and weight of most of the species planted in Kenya are far
below the benchmark values. Most likely this is not only because the species are planted outside their natural
range, but also because they have not been managed. Under good management, where systematic harvesting of
mature culms is carried out, it is likely that better results would be obtained for most species. Furthermore,
despite the fact that most species are stunted in height, good climatic conditions-especially rainfall-coupled with
a good management regime usually leads to vigorous shoot development, and hence, higher biomass
productivity over time per unit area.
VIII World Bamboo Congress Proceedings Vol 4-125