Multilocational field trials for selected bamboo species

available between the other crops, the pit size was 45 cm X 45 cm X 45 cm. The pit
sizes for other perennial plants like gooseberry, papaya, mango and bael were 30cm
X 30 cm X 30 cm.
4. Clump management trials
The clump management trials were conducted for B. bambos at Nellaikkad,
Koyalmandam, Palakkad district. The trial was initiated during December 2005, pits
of 60 cm X 60 cm X 60 cm were dug and were filled with 10 kg FYM + 1kg neem cake
+ 25 g P + 50 g K/plant. The spacing adopted was 5mx5 m; nine plants constituted
one plot and 21 such plots were established in three blocks. The seedlings were
irrigated twice a week from December to May for the first two years. Two weeding
operations were conducted in the first year and one each in second and third year.
The growth measurements like culm height, culm girth, number of culms, number of
internodes and internodal length were recorded after six months of planting and
thereafter at every six month interval. As part of the management programme, to
avoid congestion in the clumps, pruning of thorns were carried out during March-
April 2009.
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