BAMBOOS OF INDI A

Bamboos of India
seeds of Bambusa, Dendrocalamus and Ochlandra (Rao et al. 1955; Mitra and Nayak, 1972, Appasamy, 1993) and
fodder value of leaves of Dendrocalamus (Negi et al. 1980). Possibility of using isoenzymes as a tool for identification of
species has been attempted in Bambusa (Lalithakumari et al., 1985). In addition to its use as a vegetable, bamboo shoot
is a rich source for phytosterols (Srivastava, 1990). Limited studies on leachates from degrading bamboo leaves have
shown an allelopathic effect on growth of groundnut and maize (Eyini et al., 1989).
SILVICULTURE AND MANAGEMENT
Seed handling: Seeds can be collected in bulk when gregarious flowering occurs from the area by sweeping the forest
floor. A small quantity of seed is also available during sporadic flowering. The seeds can be separated from the chaff by
winnowing. The germination tests and observations in flowered areas have indicated that the seeds have no dormancy.
High percentage of germination (80-100) is obtained if seeds are sown soon after collection under shade. Germination
is hypogeal and starts within 2-10 days after sowing (Banik, 1995). Seeds can be sown directly in nursery beds or soil
filled polythene bags. A direct relation exists in some species between seed size and seedling vigour (Banik, 1987, 1991).
Variation is reported in seedlings with regard to growth pattern and direction of opening of leaves (Bahadur, 1978 and
Kondas, 1982). Seed longevity varies with species from one to eight months. Caryopsis and glans types can be stored by
controlling moisture content and temperature (White, 1947; Gupta and Sood, 1978; Somen and Seethalakshmi, 1987;
Sur et al., 1989; Thapliyal et al., 1991) but for bacca type no storage methods are found successful.
Vegetative propagation: Since seeds are not available regularly and viability of the seeds of many species is very short,
propagation by vegetative methods is required for many bamboos. The following methods are generally used for vegetative
propagation based on the nature of species.
1. Seedling multiplication: When the seedlings start developing rhizomes, the new sprouts with a portion of rhizome
are severed from the mother seedling and planted separately. About 3-5 planting units can be obtained from oneyear-old
seedlings (Adarsh Kumar, 1992).
2. Offset or clump division: The rhizome portions and offsets are separated from themother plant during the active
phase of bud development. Offsets or rhizomes of one to two-year old culms are found better. A part of the clump
consisting of more than one rhizome also gives promising results (McClure, 1966).
3. Rhizome cuttings: This is mainly done for bamboos with leptomorph rhizomes. Rhizome cuttings of about 40 to
50 cm are taken from the mother clump and planted.
4. Layering: The mother culms from the parent clump are bent and held in contact with the soil in such a way that the
nodes come in contact with the soil and remain like that till the roots are developed. Then the rooted nodes are
separated and used for planting.
5. Culm cuttings: Different types of culm cuttings such as single-noded, two-noded and three-noded cuttings are
used for rooting. The mother culm is cut into pieces using sharp tools. The rooting of culm cuttings is based on
various parameters like age of the mother culm, portion from which the cutting is taken, method of planting and the
period of the year selected for rooting (Pathak, 1899; Dabral, 1950; Gupta and Pattanath, 1976). The rooting
response of culm cuttings is enhanced considerably by use of growth regulating substances (Surendran and
Seethalakshmi, 1985; Nath et al., 1986).
6. Pre-rooted and pre-rhizomed branch cuttings: Chopping of the top of one-year-old culms and removal of all
the emerging culms induced in situ roots and rhizome formation at branch bases of many bamboo species. The pre-
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