Priority species of bamboo and rattan - Bioversity International

DISTRIBUTION: Extends from India, sub Himalayan and Indoganetic plains, scattered
in Assam and Bengal, Thailand to Southern China, major commercial species in Thailand;
planted in Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, cultivated throughout tropics
(Fig. 3).
CLIMATE AND SOILS: Bambusa bambos thrives in both humid tropical and not very
dry tropical climates, flourishes in flat alluvial areas, grows on rich to poor soils but
prefers acid soils, abundant and grows well in moist forest, extends up to 1200 m in
altitude, tolerates –2°C.
CURRENT RESEARCH: Studies on use for bamboo board, pulp and paper have been
carried out. Mass propagation through tissue culture and vegetative propagation have
been studied. Some work has been done in studying distribution in different countries
but not very extensive. Some work has been done on seed storage and seed ageing,
Cytology 2n = 70, 72.
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: This species has great potential for rehabilitation of degraded
lands, and it could be recommended for an agroforestry system. It has also been
reported to be an ideal species for commercial plantations.
CONSERVATION STATUS: No work has been done. It is urgent to collect and conserve
a wide range of possible varieties, commonly cultivated, one variety gigantea has been
identified in S. India.
USES: General purpose, structural bamboo, medium quality, shoots edible both superior
and poor quality, this species is used as building materials and for making bamboo
board, pulp and paper (useful because of long fibres), furniture of superior quality,
and also planted as windbreaker and major commercial species in many countries,
seeds edible, leaves have medicinal value used for different ailments.
RESEARCH NEEDS:
1. Exploration of both primitive and superior cultivars.
2. Selection for quality improvement (including for pulp and paper).
3. Propagation management.
4. Seedlings of 4 types, some better than others, selection needed.
5. Tissue culture (TC) work done, more research needed for mass propagation and
in vitro conservation.
6. Studies on insect pests.
7. Taxonomic status of varieties and genotype evaluation.
8. Distribution of diversity and location in protected areas.
9. Testing for degraded areas.
Bambusa blumeana (= B. spinosa, B. pungens, B. arnendo)
Common Name: Spiny bamboo, thorny bamboo, lesser thorny bamboo.
PART I 17
This is a thorny bamboo with culms 15–25 m tall. The internodes are 25–60 cm long,
with 6–10 cm diameter and wall thickness of 0.5–3 cm, but mostly solid at the base
especially in dry areas or poor soils, leaf lanceolate, 15–20 x 1.5–2 cm, leaves very fine,
Inflorescence on leafy branches, fruits not known. Vegetative propagation methods:
Culm cuttings, rhizome planting, layering and marcotting.