Best Practices

Notes

7
BEST PRACTICES

In the previous lessons till now, you have learnt about the different aspects of
bamboo cultivation. If you want to establish a commercial plantation of bamboo
you must take care of all the stages in it like, site selection for the plantation,
procurement of good planting material, field planning, harvesting, storage and
transportation etc. Thus, you must have a well laid plan of events that are to be
followed. You know that India is a vast country and has many agro-climatic zones
and variations in topography, climate and soil conditions. It is not easy, therefore,
to provide a calendar of operations for bamboo plantations that will apply in all
conditions and locations. There are, however, some basic principles that should be
adhered to, irrespective of the variations. Let us learn in this lesson the various
things that we can do at various stages of the bamboo plantation to get maximum
yield and of best quality. The requirements of bamboo cultivation may be different
in each subsequent year of plantation. Therefore, the major events and consideration
to be taken care in each year are also discussed in this lesson. You will also learn
about various tools that are routinely used in the bamboo cultivation.

OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson, you will be able to:

z list the tools and equipment for bamboo plantation;

z create calendar of events in bamboo growth;

z plan the irrigation, weeding and fertilizer operations during I, II, III and IV
year onwards.

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7.1 TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR BAMBOO PLANTATION

You should be familiar with the common tools that are used routinely in bamboo Notes
cultivation. They are required for variety of purposes like soil preparation, cutting
and felling of bamboo culms, cleaning etc. Tools such as spades, picks, pruning
scissors, hand wheelbarrows and others (Fig. 7.1 to 7.11) are necessary equipment
for manual operations in bamboo plantation. Such equipment are affordable and
don’t require high investment.

Inter-culture

Fig. 7.1: Khurpi or weed scrapper

Fig. 7.2: Pruning shears Fig. 7.3: Pruning knife

Harvest

Fig. 7.4: Cutting bamboo at 2nd node from bottom

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Notes

Fig. 7.5: Hacksaw Fig. 7.6: Cutting shoot

Other

Fig. 7.7: Machete Fig. 7.8: Dao sword

Fig. 7.9: Cutter Fig. 7.10: Knife

Fig. 7.11: Spade

These pictures are only representational

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7.2 CALENDER OF EVENTS IN BAMBOO PLANTATION

The country’s most important climatic event is the monsoon. The life-cycle of the Notes
bamboo plant is dependent on it and is largely affected by it. The bamboo plant
most actively grows in this wet period. Because of the conducive (best for growth)
moisture, humidity and temperature new shoots come out in this period. Most of
these shoots will develop into healthy culms, growing taller over a period of a little
over three months after emergence. After the monsoon, cooler and drier conditions
begin. In this period, the plant system enters a period of dormancy during which
it limits its activities and stores food and nutrients. Planting could be in June / July
(depending on rainfall), so please plan backwards from these two months.

INITIAL ACTIVITIES To be completed by

Feb. Mar Apr. May Jun. July
Site Selection and finalization,
survey and demarcation √
Fencing and protection, √
Selection of species, preparation
of planting plan and layout √
Clearing the land and ploughing √
Soil sampling and testing √
Trench making √
Establishment of a nursery/plant
material production facility,
(if intended) OR getting plant
material √
Pit digging √
Soil preparation, application of
compost/ fertilizer in the pits √
Pit staking √
Planting in pit, irrigating the pit
and its environs √

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Establishing and managing a plantation involves a wide range of activities. Using

the onset of the monsoon as a benchmark (indicated as M, the expected month, in
Notes the table on the previous page), and allowing for local variations, it is possible to
classify, list the sequence and give the timing of these activities.

7.3 POST-PLANTING ACTIVITIES: YEAR I

7.3.1 Fertiliser
Initial application of fertilizer in the pit at the time of planting should be there. After
that, chemical fertilizer, if used, should be applied again within a period of 1-2
months after planting. The dose will need to be repeated at 5- 6 months after the
close of the monsoon. Under normal soil conditions, a general norm that can be
followed for application of chemical fertilizer, per plant, is: 185-150 grams N + 75
grams P + 37 grams K. If organic fertilizer is used, organic nutrients should be
regularly and continuously applied over the year.

7.3.2 Irrigation
In the first year, special care should be taken that the plant does not suffer
prolonged dry period. Usually, in the first month after planting, irrigation should
be done at 2-3 days intervals initially and then once a week after that. If the rainfall
is adequate, irrigation may be discontinued. After the monsoon and depending on
the rainfall/moisture adequate irrigation can be done. In the first year, the irrigation
required is relatively higher than in succeeding years. In most parts of the country,
at least two major irrigation cycles are needed - two months after the close of the
monsoon and four months after the close of the monsoon.

7.3.3 Weeding
Regular weeding is necessary in the first year. This is to avoid competition with the
bamboo plant. In most parts of the country, there are two weeding operations
done- once in the second or third month after planting and once two months after
the close of the monsoon. However, in areas with high amount of rainfall more
cycles of weeding will be required.

7.2.4 Loosening the Soil, Mulching and Mounding

These should be carried out in the colder months, later by three months after the
close of the monsoon. They should be repeated five months after the monsoon
ends.

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7.4 NURSING A PLANTATION: YEAR 2

In the second year, the pattern of activities outlined for the first year will continue Notes
in the same broad time periods. The clump structure of the plantation by second
year will be sparse although greener. Other important points to be followed are:
z Fresh planting will be needed to cover the gaps caused by plant deaths, if any
that have occurred in the first year.
z The timing and dosages of fertilizer application will remain the same as in the
first year, unless specifically needed or recommended by specialists and the
experience of the preceding year.
z Irrigation intensities, as well as soil loosening, mulching and mounding, will
continue in the same manner, with appropriate modifications where necessary.
z Fencing should be checked and gaps should be closed.

7.5 NURTURING A PLANTATION: YEAR 3

In this year, shoots will grow into culms that are substantially taller than those of
the preceding year.The clump structure will now be clearer. A canopy begins to
form and the bamboo plant, including its rhizomes and roots, will have begun to
spread itself. While the basic sets of activities will remain the same as in the
preceding two years, there will be some modifications as listed below depending
on the emerging clump structure:
z During the monsoon, monitor the shoot growth. Discard the weak shoots.
z Carry out manipulation of the clump structure and cleaning operations in the
middle of the period of dormancy, typically in the month of January.
z The need for weeding may be less, but is still important, so it is done as per
need.

7.6 THE BEGINNINGS OF MATURITY: YEARS 4 AND 5

By now, the plantation will be with arching canopies, highly visible and established
clump structures. The clump will have many tall culms. It will now be possible to
make out differences in health and strength (vigor of growth) across clumps. These
may be due to variations in the microclimate (moisture, soil), or inappropriate
thinning and maintenance. The core activities will have to be continued, but clump
management becomes more important from now onwards.

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Special attention should be paid to selective cutting of older culms (those that
originated in the second year), thinning, pruning of lower branches, removing
Notes diseased shoots and mulching and mounding activities. By now the leaf litter on
the ground will be a lot and can be put to use on the plantation. Weeding will be
required in less frequency as the clump structures have established themselves.

7.7 REAPING THE BENEFITS: YEARS 5, 6, 7 AND ONWARDS

By this time the bamboo plantation would have dominated the site and grown into
a self-sustaining system, managing many of its needs.
While fertilizer and irrigation needs will continue, maintenance needs will be less.
Management and harvesting are the most important activities to be carried out in
these years.
Third-year culms can now be harvested and extracted. This will help maintain a
proper clump structure and provide income.

7.8 HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

While working in the bamboo field you must observe certain health and safety
precautions. Failing these precautions there are chances of accidents or health
hazards. The important precautions are as follows:
z You should ensure availability of all the necessary first Aid for safety
measures.
z During harvesting of bamboo ensure that the workers wear tight clothing and
tie-up their hair to avoid entanglement.
z Proper procedure for felling should be followed to avoid crush type of
accidents.
z You must effectively use all the necessary safety
material and follow all the preventive measures to
avoid any injury during usage/application of
pesticide.
z Dispose the chemical safely after treatment.
z All chemical formulations contain toxic
components and should be handled with great
care. Precautions are necessary during preparation
of solution, treating operations and handling.

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z The treatment area should be well ventilated

with no unauthorized entry.
Notes
z You must wear aprons, work clothes,
gloves, protective goggles, footwear before
preparation of solutions, treatment and
handling of freshly treated material.
z Spraying of chemicals should be done in
the wind direction.
z No drinks or food should be consumed in
the treatment area.
z As solvents used in some formulations may be flammable, the treatment area
should be declared as no smoking zone.
z Empty containers should be placed out of reach of non-technical personnel
and children, and properly disposed of by burying in the ground at designated
locations or incinerated.
z Skin contact with preservatives should be avoided. In case of any irritation,
the skin should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
z Clean hands with soap, take a shower and change work clothes after finishing
the job.
Few important items (the 3Gs) to be used while working in the bamboo field

Gloves Goggles Gumboots

INTEXT QUESTIONS 7.1

1. Fill in the blanks
(a) The most intensive active growth period in bamboo is during ....................
(b) The application of NPK fertilizer in the bamboo field should be in ratio
....................

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(c) During first year of growth, prolonged period of .................... is

detrimental to bamboo plant.
Notes
(d) Canopy in the bamboo plantation begins to form during ....................
year.
2. State whether True or False
(a) Weeding is done to increase the competition for space, sunlight and
nutrients.
(b) Cleaning operation and manipulation of clump should be carried out
during monsoon.
(c) Soil loosening and mounding should be done in colder months.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

Let us recapitulate and enlist the salient points we have learnt through this lesson:
z Calendar of operations for bamboo plantation may vary according to climatic
conditions and location.
z There are different tools that are used at different stages and for different
purposed in the bamboo plantation.
z Fertilizers should be applied in 5 – 6 months after the close of monsoon.
z Under normal soil conditions, the general norm of applying NPK fertilizer is
in the ratio of 5 : 2 : 1 or 4 : 2 : 1.
z Irrigation should be continuously done in an interval of 2-3 days. The interval
should be longer if conditions are wet due to more rainfall.
z Weeding must be done in required intervals especially during the 1st and 2nd
year. Weeding can be more frequently required in places with high rainfall and
heavy weed infestation.
z Loosening of soil, mulching and mounding activities should be done throughout
the year.
z After 2nd and 3rd year, the clump becomes more spread-out. At this stage care
should be taken to remove unhealthy, malformed and weak culms from the
clump.

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z During these years and afterwards, clump cleaning and harvesting operations
become more important.
Notes
z There are safety and health measures and precautions that must be followed
while working in the bamboo fields.

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. List the activities that should be taken care of during first year of bamboo
plantation.
2. What are major points of attention during 3 and 4 year of plantation to have
good yield?
3. List the major calendar events during bamboo plantation growth.
4. What are different tools that can be used in bamboo plantation?
5. Write safety and health precautions that must be followed when working in
the bamboo fields.

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

7.1
1. Fill in the blanks
(a) Monsoon (b) 5 : 2 : 1 or 4 : 2 : 1
(c) Drought/dryness (d) Third
2. State whether True or False
(a) False (b) False (c) True

Key Learning Outcomes

z Appropriate use of tools and equipment for bamboo plantation
taking necessary precautions.
z Follow different cultivation practices at suitable time as per
the growth of bamboo culm.

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