Effect of Clear-filling of Congested Clumps on Yield of Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus)

Clear-fellings of congested clumps of Dendrocalamus strictus in March 1977, (sample plot-1) and 1980 (sample plot-2) were experimented in North Shahdol Division of Madhya Pradesh. The site quality of bamboo III. Clump formation and culm recruitments were observed in ensuing monsoon (July-September). Sample plot-1 was laid out in 1980 i.e, 4 years afler clear-felling. In an adjoining area the congested clumps were clear-felled in January 1980 and sample plot was laid in December 1980. Tbe clump formation and recruitment of culms was observed in the following monsoon. In sample plot-1 there were 44 clumps of which only 33 were fully developed for exploitation while remaining 11 were found to be in the process of development. A minimum of 5.36 new culms/clump to a maximum of 28.67 culms/clump were observed. In sample plot-2 a minimum of 3 new culms and a maximum of 19 new culms/cump were observed. However, in majority of the Cases tbe clumps contained less than 10 culms/clump. However, it bas been clearly brought out and from these results that tbe best method of working of congested clumps is to clear-fell them for better results. There was a declining trend observed in annual recruitment, as also in yield especially in period before gregarious flowering. This fact holds equally good in poor areas (Shahdol) as well as in better site quality areas (Balaghat).