Assessment of Reproductive Features and Propagation Potential in Rattans of Bangladesh

Presently ten rattan (cane) species under two genera are available in Bangladesh. Phenotypically male and female clumps of the same species of all rattans are not distinguishable even in the same habitat until they produce inflorescence. Rattan clumps were observed in canetum to flower between 3 and 5 years in seedling raised clump. Flowering and fruiting of ten recorded rattans showed that periodicity as well as plasticity of four species were diphasic whilst other six species were monophasic. A calendar of reproductive features of ten rattans of Bangladesh was formatted in the present study. It is concluded that diphasic species showed higher reproductive capacity both in seeds and seedlings compared to monophasic ones in shade house conditions. Where seeds collected in early monsoon were more potential compared to late monsoon irrespective to species. Present study proclaims that the seeds collected on early monsoon were assessed as the standard one for large scale commercial propagation of all available rattan species of Bangladesh.