Evaluation of different Bamboo species in Tarai region of Himalayan Foothills: Growth, Biomass, Carbon storage and soil properties

Abstract

Majority of the bamboo production in Northern India is accounted from forests where productivity is very low. Efforts are therefore required for enhancing the productivity of bamboos by undertaking organized cultivation outside the forest areas. The present study was undertaken for screening eight different bamboo species viz. Bambusa balcooa, B. bambos, B. nutans, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii, D. strictus in terms of growth behaviour, biomass production, carbon storage potential and soil health. After six years of plantation, maximum clump height (10.67 m) and clump girth (5.93 m) was observed for B. nutans whereas minimum clump height and girth was observed for D. asper. Highest culm diameter was observed in B. vulgaris (6.23 cm). Total above ground biomass and carbon stock were maximum for D. hamiltonii (144.5 t ha-1 and 64.63 t ha-1 respectively) whereas minimum above ground biomass (14.34 t ha-1) and carbon stock (6.39 t ha-1) were accumulated by D. asper. D. hamiltonii was found to mitigate highest 237.2 t ha-1 CO2. Oxygen released from different species ranged from 17.1-172.6 t ha–1 during the six year of study. Soil health was significantly improved under all the bamboo species as compared to control. Among all bamboo species, D. hamiltonii was better species for its effect on soil health.