EFFECT OF LAND USE ON DENDROCALAMUS HAMILTONII REGENERATION DURING EARLY SECONDARY SUCCESSIONAL STAGES IN NORTHEAST INDIA

Abstract

The regeneration potential of a tropical deciduous bamboo, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii was studied following 5, 10, 15 and 20 year shifting cultivation (locally known as jhum) cycles. Bamboo and other non-crop plants were weeded two-three times during the cropping period depending on the weed intensity. The below-ground biomass dynamics of bamboo showed drastic reduction during one year of cultivation and one year regeneration. The lower biomass in below-ground organs of bamboos following shorter cycles of shifting cultivation may be an indicator of severity of disturbance. It is concluded that severe disturbances occurring today threaten the availability of bamboo resources in future, and proper management practices are warranted.