Biomass estimation of Bambusa tulda grown at Eastern Terai, Nepal

Abstract

With a view to prepare biomass tables of Bambusa tulda grown at Belbari, Morang district of Eastern Nepal, a total of 153 culms was selected from 59 clumps. Measurements of diameter at 15 cm of the base (D15), vertical height of the culm, green weight of the culm, branches and foliage were taken in the field. The samples were oven dried in laboratory at Kathmandu. To estimate the biomass, a regression model was developed on the basis of oven dry and green weight. The model used was W = a + b × (D2 L). Based on the oven dry weight, the R2 values were obtained for culm, branch and foliage components, which were 92, 81 and 83%, respectively. Similarly, R2 values for culm and foliage components on the basis of green weight were 92 and 82%, respectively. The R2 values obtained for branch and foliage components were slightly lower as compared to the culm. This equation could be useful in estimating bamboo biomass of managed natural stands or plantations in similar site conditions.