Recent Research on Bamboos Proceedings of the International Bamboo Workshop October 6-14, 1985 Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China Organised jointly by: Ministry of Forestry, People’s Republic of China International Development Research Centre, Canada International Union of Forestry Research Organisations Editors: A.N. Rao, G. Dhanarajan, C.B. Sastry Proceedings published jointly by: The Chinese Academy of Forestry, People’s Republic of China International Development Research Centre, Canada CONTENTS Page Foreword 1 Dedication 2 A. Bamboo Resources and Country Reports Y.M.L. Sharma Inventory and resource of bamboos 4 Wu Bo and Ma Naixun Bamboo research in China 18 Zhu Jifan Bamboo development in China 24 R.C. Gaur Bamboo research in India 26 Haryonto Yudodibroto Bamboo research in Indonesia 33 Salleh Mohd. Nor and The bamboo resource in Malaysia: Strategies 45 K.M. Wong for development CeIso B. Lantican, Bamboo research in Philippines 50 Armando M. Palijon and Carmen G. SaIudo R. Vivekanandan Bamboo research in Sri Lanka 61 Sakomsak Ramyarangsi Bamboo research in Thailand 67 B. Cultivation and Production Li Guoging Improved cultivation techniques of bamboos 71 in North China Sun Tienren, Fan Lijun, Biomass structure of Phyllostachys heteroclada 79 Wang Xirong, Jhang Dehei and Liu Niangui Shi Quantai, Bian Yaorong Study on the application of chemical fertiliser 87 and Wang Yongxi to the timber and paper-pulp stands of Phyllostachys pubescens Leuvina M. Tandung Mensurational attributes of five Philippine erect 91 and Fermin G. Torres bamboos Huang Paihui A study on the mineral nutrition of Phyllostachys 99 pubescens Chen Youdi, Qin Wenlong, The chemical composition of ten bamboo species 110 Li XiuIing, Gong Jianping and Nimanna Qiou Fugeng and Fertiiiser application and growth of Phyllostachys 114 Fu Maoyi pubescens Etsuzo Uchimura Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the 121 growth of Mosochiku Phyllostachys pubescens seedlings ii C. Growth and Propagation Hsiung Wenyue, Din Jhufu, Studies on branching pattern of monopodial 128 Li Youfen and Lu Ping bamboos Anan Anantachote Flowering and seed characteristics of bamboos in 136 Thailand C.M.A. Stapleton Studies on vegetative propagation of Bambusa and 146 Dendrocalamus species by culm cuttings Yat Ying Cheung, Research on the raising of Phyllostachys 154 Stanley Gibson Cooper, pubescens seedlings Timothy James Hansken and Yat Chan Cheung Ratanlal Banik Techniques of bamboo propagation with special 160 reference to prerooted and prerhizomed branch cuttings and tissue culture A.J. Dekkers, A.N. Rao In vitro callus in bamboos Shfzostachyum and 170 and C.S. Loh Thyrsostachys species Zhang Guangzhu Studies on the chromosome number of bamboo 175 species with clump rhizomes Zhang Guangzhu and Studies on bamboo hybridisation 179 Chen Fuqiu Hiroshi Usui Morphological studies on the prophylls and their 185 systematic significance Wen Taihui Three genera of Bambusoideae from China 192 D. Structure and Properties W. Liese Anatomy and properties of bamboo 196 A.N. Rao Anatomical’studies on certain bamboos growing 209 in Singapore Jiang Xin and Li Qion Observations on vascubr bundles of bamboos 227 native to China Wen Taihui and A study on the anatomy of vascular bundles of 230 Chou Wenwei bamboos from China Elizabeth A. Widjaja Anatomical properties of some bamboos utilised 244 and Zulaida Risyad in Indonesia Sun Chengzhi and Fibre morphology and crystallinity of Phyllostachys 247 Xie Guoen pubescens with-reference to age Jules J.A. Janssen The mechanical properties of bamboo 250 Zenita B. Espiloy Physico-mechanical properties and anatomical 257 relationships of some Philippine bamboos E. Diseases Mohammed Abdur Rahman Bamboo blight in the village groves of Bnagladesh Eric R. Boa Fungal diseases of bamboo: A preliminary and 271 provisional list Eric R. Boa The occurrence of bamboo blight in Bangladesh 280 with reference to Sarocladium oryzae F . Utilisation Kamol Visupakha The role of bamboo as a potential food source in 301 Thailand Hu Chaozong The changes in nutrient composition of bamboo 303 shoots at different ages T. Higuchi, M. Tanahashi Characterisation of steam-exploded bamboos for 309 and Y. Togamura cattle feed T . N . Lipangile The use of bamboo as water pipes 315 J.W. Slob, P.F. Nangawe, CCA impregnation of bamboo - leaching and 321 E. de Leer and fixation characteristics J. Donker Chen Guisheng Bamboo plywood - a new product of structural 337 material with high strength properties Li Qihuang, Li Dezhao A brief introduction to the bamboo tower in 339 and Song Changkun Zurich, Switzerland Liu Yurong, Chen Yiming, A study on bamboo cellulose triacetate (B-CTA) 342 Lang Kangmin and ultrafiltration membranes Bao Zhiguo Achmad Sulthoni Traditional preservation of bamboo in Java, 349 Indonesia G. Socio-Economics Songkram Thammincha Role of bamboos in rural development and socio- 359 economics: A case study in Thailand T.A. Thomas, R.K. Arora Genetic diversity and socio-economic importance 366 Ranbir Singh of bamboos in India C.W. MacCormac Economics for bamboo forestry research: Some 370 suggested approaches H. Reports on Sessions Reports on Technical Sessions 379 Research Needs and Priorities 384 List of Participants 386 FOREWORD In early 1980, IDRC organized the first ever workshop on “Bamboo Research in Asia” in Singapore. About 22 forestry scientists participated in the meeting where 19 papers were presented for discussion. That ground-breaking meeting had the following objectives: ! To review the existing knowledge on the cultivation and utilization of bamboo in Asia; ! To consider the most important problem and constraints preventing the greater use of the bamboo resource in the region; and, ! To identify regional research needs and priorities on bamboo cultivation. We in IDRC are happy that five years later we are able to convene this second workshop on Bamboo Research in Asia in Hangzhou, China, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, China, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, The Nanjing University of Forestry, and the IUFRO. The world of bamboo reserach has changed much since 1980. This is largely reflected in the papers presented. In this second meeting some 80 scientists from various parts of the world participated and over 50 papers were presented for discussion. Of these at least 15 papers are the results of research sup- ported jointly by IDRC and national research institutes; over 20 papers come from the People’s Republic of China reflecting the long tradition and interest this great nation has in Bamboo. We will not be surprised if this is not the first meeting in Forestry in which so many Chinese scientists have participated. The papers themselves reflect both the progress and the degree of comprehension we have achieved in understanding bamboo production and utilization. The problems identified in 1980 have not all been resolved, but it is heartening to note that many solutions and innovative approches to improve the lot of bamboo growers, manufac- turers and users have been worked out. Even more heartening is to note the awakening of interest on Bamboo Research in Asia. On behalf of IDRC, the Ministry of Forestry and the Academy of Forestry, People’s Republic of China, we wish to express our gratitude to all the people who ensured the success of this workshop. We are specially grateful to the enthusiastic team of organizers from the Chinese Academy of Forestry’s Subtropical Forestry Research Institute in Zhejiang Province who devoted so much of their time and effort for making the workshop into such a lively and productive forum. Finally our thanks are also due to all of the participants who have come from all over the world to contribute to the second workshop on Bamboo Research in Asia. IDRC is hopeful that much good will result from this workshop. The Centre will continue to give serious consideration to any request from the developing nations of the world for support to conduct bamboo research. We, like the great Chinese poet, believe “a meal should have meat, but a house must have a bamboo. Without meat we become thin; without bamboo we loose serenity and culture in itself” (Su Dong PO - 10th Century Chinese Poet). CHERLA B SASTRY DEREK WEBB Senior Program Officer (Forestry) Associate Director (Forestry) Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Sciences Division Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Sciences Division V Preface to the Second Edition INBAR/IDRC has been at the forefront of the research and development in bamboo since the eariy eighties. tDRC organized the first ever workshop on ‘Bamboo Research in Asia” in 1980. In 1985 in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Forestry, The Chinese Academy of Forestry, the Nanjing University of Forestry, and the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO). the second Intemational Bamboo Research Workshop was organized in Hangzhou, China. This workshop was the largest gathering of bamboo scientists in the world up to that date and provided a forum for wide-ranging exchanges of the latest information and ideas on bamboo research in Asia. Since then, the IDRC Bamboo and Rattan Network(predecessor of INBAR) and after 1993, INBAR, have been involved in organizing the third, fourth, and fifth international meetings, held in Cochin, India; Chiangmal, Thailand; and Bali, Indonesia in 1988, 1991 and 1995, respectively. Proceedings of these workshops, two of them in reprints, have been published jointly by INESAR, IDRC and FORSPA. They continue to be great demand by bamboo enthusiasts around the globe. The Hangzhou proceedings has been a very informative and path breaktng document in its content and presentations and scientists, field workers, and general bamboo lovers continue to request it. Responding to this popular interest, we are happy fo bring out a section edition of the Hangzhou proceedings Recent Research on Bamboos’, together with the Chinese Academy of Forestry, China. We are confident that a large number of readers will now have easy access to this wealth of information of meet their growing interest in bamboo.