Above ground biomass production and nutrient distribution in growing bamboo (Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss)

Above ground biomass production and nutrient distribution in growing Bamboo (Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss) from two days old (0.12 m height) to maturity (28.5 m height) were studied over five months. The average daily increase in height was 30 cm and independent of rain. There was a linear increase in the total above ground biomass for all components with the percentage contribution of culm maximum followed by branches, and leaves. Culm recruitment was monsoon dependent. The percentage distribution of N, P, K, Ca and Mg between components varied. Biomass equations were derived to estimate the green weight of the whole bamboo culm, the weights of the branches, leaves, and rhizomes and the relationships between the oven dry weights of various tree components as dependent variables and diameter (D), height (H), diameter and height (DH), square of diameter and height (D2H), square of diameter (D2), basal area (B), basal area diameter and height (BH) were determined. Of these, diameter and height (DH) was found to be most closely correlated with total above ground biomass. This was therefore used for the prediction of total biomass.