English: DENDROCALAMUS ASPER

TISSUE CULTURE PLANTS ADVANTAGES OF TISSUE CULTURE PLANTS: True to the type High market value & High yield and quality High biomass yielding plant Energy can be generated Throughout the year plantation possible

LOCAL NAMES: Sweet Bamboo, Rough bamboo USES: Known for its high quality edible shoots. Poles are strong which is very much useful in the construction. CHARACTERISTICS: Culm length – up to 30 cm Culm diameter – 20 cm Internode length – 30 cm Wall thickness – Hollow culms with thick wall especially at the base

DISTRIBUTION: It is an exotic species cultivated in the Northeastern states as the shoots are the edible form of food. It can also be grown in south Indian states of Kerala, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. CULTIVATION CONDITIONS: Altitude - Grows well in plains and in hilly tracts up to 1000 m altitude. Soil type - Prefers well drained black soils, Sandy clay loam or shallow lateritic soil mixed with fine sandy clay. Good drainage is essential. Climatic condition - It prefers a sub-tropical climate to tropical climate. Prefers tropical to sub-tropical regions with the altitude of 400 – 500m with an average rainfall of 2400 mm. PLANTATION GUIDELINES: Season of planting - Planting during the pre-monsoon showers or prior to active monsoon. Pre planting operations- Demarcation / fencing to be completed at least three months prior to planting. Weeding should be done at least 15 days prior to planting. Pit size & treatment - 45 x 45 x 45 cm cubical pits, to be half filled and kept exposed to sun for topsoil sterilization for about a month. Planting- Along with the pre monsoon showers/prior to active monsoon the pits are filled and planted with one year old planting stock. The filled-up soil to be compacted around the plant. Spacing- Closer spacing of 4 x 4 m for edible shoot production, 5 x 5 m when planted as a species in ornamental/shelter belt plantations and 7 x 7 m for timber production.

SOIL/WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES 
	Moisture/water harvesting trenches (60 cm x 45 cm x 30 cm) are to be dug along the interspaces in the alternate rows of planting when planted in 6 x 6 m spacing. 

CLUMP MANAGEMENT: Cultural practices - All dead and dying culms to be cut and removed from the third year of establishment preferably in the months of November – February. Fertilization - To be carried out as per the advice of an expert after testing the soil once the clumps have established. Responds well to NPK and organic fertilizers like compost, vermicompost and dried farmyard manure. Organic fertilizers recommended if grown for edible shoots. Irrigation- Responds well to irrigation however essential only during the first two years to ensure better establishment and quicker culm production. If grown for edible shoots watering ensures enhanced sprout production. Moisture retention through trenches should also be practiced. PLANT PROTECTION MEASURES

	 If managed properly with routine pruning, thinning and cleaning, (cultural practices) Bamboo usually escapes pest infestations. Proper sanitation measures should also be adopted for the control of fungal infections.  

Thinning- Regular thinning and cleaning should be carried out from the 4th year of clump establishment. All dry, dead and drying culms are to be removed from the clump so as to create sufficient space in the clump for new sprouts to grow up straight. As a regular practice these operations are to be carried out every year probably prior to the winter months. HARVESTING:

	 Culms (for timber) should be harvested only during non-rainy months. No current year culms are to be cut. For propagation about 20 % of two-year-old culms can be selectively cut from all portions of the clumps which can be made use of for vegetative propagation through rooting of culm cuttings. About 60% of the 3-year-old culms and almost all of the 4th year culms can be cut and removed. However, it is always better to retain a few older culms in the clump to serve as support for the younger newly emerging culms.  
	D. asper is a preferred species for edible shoot since the shoots are sweet. In stands managed for edible shoots, extraction is done when the sprouts attain 35 to 45 cm in height. Care should be taken to see that only 60% of the sprouts extracted from all portions of the clump are removed while 40 % are retained in the clump. Shoots are collected either early in the morning or late in evening.  

FLOWERING CYCLE

	 More than 100 years.  

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

Tissue culture Bamboo plants being supplied are disease free and are carefully indexed for virus and bacteria at the time of supply. However, they are not resistant to pests and diseases. The yield level and character of plants vary with cultivation methods, climate, soil, water availability, pests, diseases, weeds, environmental factors. Since cultivation of tissue culture Bamboo plants is beyond our control, company is not responsible for the loss or performance of the plants in the field.