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

Research breakthroughs
The pioneer R & D project conducted at FPRDI dealt with steam-bending quality evaluation of climbing
bamboo for making curved furniture and handicraft components. Results indicate the suitability of tagisi
(Dinochloa dielsiana), with 1-2 cm diameter and solid culm, for making steam-bent articles (Natividad 2000). It
can be bent to a radii ranging from 4 to 8 cm in green condition (MC > 40%) depending on the diameter class
(Fig. 1).
Results of completed projects at FPRDI show that climbing bamboos have almost the same density, durability
and anatomical properties (fiber diameter and length) as the erect bamboos. These are easy to dry by air or kiln
drying with negligible defects; easy to treat with chemical preservative against fungi and insects; amenable to
bleaching and dyeing; and have high folding endurance in strip form for weaving purposes (FPRDI 2005). Fig.
2 shows some of the fabricated prototype woven products.
During the 2006 National Trade fair at SM megamall some prototype products from puser (C. puser) and
baguisan (D. pubiramea) were dislayed. These were fabricated at FPRDI in collaboration with CITC, BDT and
PDDCP. These include artificial flowers from diagonally cut culms (Fig. 3).
R & D Directions
R & D gaps on the physico-mechanical, chemical, and processing properties of climbing bamboos should be
pursued to establish baseline information and technologies for the development of new products i.e. furniture,
handicrafts, home and fashion accessories, composite panels for housing and building construction and other
purposes.
To sustain raw material supply it is also imperative to formulate policies for their conservation and R & D
should be focused on propagation, plantation development and harvesting techniques for preferred species. An
updated inventory of the standing stock is likewise needed together with a map on their geographical
distribution to facilitate the collection/sourcing of raw materials.
Summary and Conclusion
Climbing bamboos are not as popularly used for household or industrial purposes as the erect ones but they are
promising alternative raw materials for furniture, handicrafts and other related products for the local and export
markets. Initial results of R& D projects on their processing and utilization indicate their suitability for woven
products and steam-bent articles. However, there are still many R & D gaps which need to be addressed. These
include generation of appropriate technologies on product development and management of the resource to
ensure sustainable supply of raw materials for specific end-uses.
Generated technologies should be promoted and transferred for the development of community-based
enterprises in areas where climbing bamboos are relatively abundant.
VIII World Bamboo Congress Proceedings Vol 4-30