Improving and maintaining productivity of Bambusa blumeana for quality shoots and timber in Iloilo and Capiz, the Philippines

摘要

Experiments were conducted in Western Visayas (Region 6) in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, and Dumarao, Capiz. Two studies were set up to determine the best rehabilitation techniques for damaged and unproductive existing natural bamboo stands, and to generate effective management strategies and techniques for improving productivity of an unmanaged bamboo plantation. Bambusa blumeana was used in both experiments. Results of the study on rejuvenating natural bamboo stands showed that cleaning and clearing of unmanaged clumps to free them from congestion, plus annual maintenance of a culm (pole) density of six 1-year-old, six 2-year-old and six 3-year-old culms, resulted in the highest growth rate in terms of shoot and culm production. Apart from maintaining this culm density, applying fertiliser and mulch were the other silvicultural treatments used. The study on improving the productivity of a young bamboo plantation revealed that optimal management regimes differ depending what product is sought. If the objective is to produce culms, all shoots must be kept for new culms and all 3-year-old culms must be harvested annually. On the other hand, if edible shoots are required, an annual culm density of four shoots, four 1-year-old culms and four 2-year-old culms, together with the application of fertiliser, mulch and irrigation will result in a significantly longer duration of shoot emergence, thus increasing significantly shoot count and yield.