Kawayan Technology part 1

Kawayan Technology

One of the pressing problems being faced by the country today is the scarcity of lumber. A good substitute for lumber is bamboo. Bamboo could generate tremendous income for bamboo stand owners and traders and could create jobs for the people.

There are about 65 known species of bamboo found in the country but the most commercially exploited species is Bambusa blumeana Shultz locally known as ‘kawayan-tinik’.

Kawayan is a general term for all species of bamboo in the Philippines. It generates fast, hence, it can be harvested in 3 years. One mother pole can reproduce more than one shoot. It can arrest soil erosion, stabilize riverbanks, and improve the environment. It can survive in semi-arid and marginal areas. It grows readily on cogonal areas, survives summer drought and grass fire, and develops a forest-like canopy rapidly. Likewise, it is the best substitute for wood because its strength properties are comparable with mahogany and other medium hardwood species.

Bamboo and its related industries have provided income, food, and housing to over 2.2 billion people worldwide. In 2000, bamboo contributed 3.81 million dollars to the Philippine economy. In region 1, the income amounted to 40 million pesos in 1999 from sales of bamboo poles and butts alone.

Bamboo has many uses. Many Filipinos, particularly the Ilocanos, relish bamboo shoots as salad or cooked vegetable mixed with saluyot and meat. IT is also a good material for house construction, banana props, fishing gear, décor, hats, baskets, fans, kitchen and table utensils, and toothpicks.

How to Prepare Planting Materials?

One of the major constraints in the large-scale production of bamboo is the lack of sources of planting materials.

Bamboo can be propagated by reproductive (seeds) or vegetative (rhizomes, cuttings) propagation. Among these methods, vegetative propagation through the use of one-node cuttings is the most economical. These are easier to handle and more productive.

Bamboo growing

Bamboo Growing

If you’re convinced of the potentials of bamboo growing, the  following procedure should help you get started. Let us assume that you have a one-hectare lot. It can be less but the important thing is to be close to sources of water, the soil should be sandy loam and well drained. Stake the area at a spacing of 8 meters by 8 meters. Remove weeds and other vegetation that may compete with the bamboo.

 

The next  step is to prepare planting stocks for direct out-planting. They can be obtained from the butt to the middle portion of one-to-two-year old culms. These culms should have undisturbed, fresh buds. Branches can also be used as planting stocks, although they should be treated with Hormex to induce rooting.

 

If you decide to use branches as planting stock, these must first be planted in 6 inches by 8 inches plastic bags containing topsoil. The branches  should stay in a plant nursery for about 6 to 10 months with only 50 percent sunlight. Watering should be done daily.

 

Should you use two node cuttings, collect them one day before outplanting, preferably in the afternoon. Use a hand-saw for cutting and keep them under cover with moist cloth. About 156 planting stocks will be enough for a one hectare area.

 

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