EFFECT OF COMPOUND FERTILISER AND SOIL MOUNDING ON NATURAL STAND BAMBOOS OF <em>GIGANTOCHLOA</em> <em>SCORTECHINII</em> IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

Gigantochloa scortechinii is one of the most important commercial species available in Malaysia. It is found growing profusely in the forest immediately after logging has taken place. This species is widely distributed throughout Peninsular Malaysia. The raw material is extracted from the forest by the local people in a haphazard way without proper management and the resources tend to decline. Due to this reason, the resources need to be managed and a proper silvicultural management regime be introduced in managing the natural stand bamboos in the ex-logging areas. In addition, the quantity and quality of the culms need to be sustained for future supply. Owing to the importance of the study, and since there has been no silvicultural study done on the mounding of natural stand bamboos in the forests, a trial was conducted to see the effect of compound fertiliser and soil mounding on the growth of G. scortechinii at Nami, Kedah, in Peninsular Malaysia. Treatments such as fertiliser application at
rates of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg per clump and soil mounding levels of 0, 10, 20 and 40 cm above the ground were carried out twice and once respectively during the one year study period. Significant effects were only noted due to mounding at three months after treatment and none after a year.