Issues in Production of Bamboo Planting Materials - Lessons and Strategies

Some important observations on the present status in production and delivery of bamboo planting materials (PMs) have been presented. A number of strategies to deal with the issues are suggested. Immediate emphasis has to be made on operational efficiency of bamboo Propagation Nurseries, species specific technology focusing priority species and requirement of many selected Candidate Plus Clumps (CPC) to supply the huge amount of vegetative parts for mass scale clonal production of bamboo PMs. Establishment of well equipped bamboo propagation nursery in different parts of the country would cater the need of supplying quality PMs of local priority bamboo species. Much importance is given on the necessity to have information, sourcing, collection and safe transportation of bamboo PMs. Further selection of superior seedlings (juvenile selection) by taking advantage of bamboo seeding and multiplication of these seedlings through macroproliferation, and identification of diverse seeding populations in a bamboo species and their centralization to establish a 'Bamboo Seed Orchard' have also been suggested as mid- and long-term strategy. Emphasis has been laid on the need of using PMs with wide genetic base for introduction of exotic bamboo species for raising commercial plantations.