MAGALANG BAMBOO propagation on a massive and commercial scale is now possible.
This, with the discovery of best management practices in the propagation of bamboo shoots in the research done by the Pampanga Agricultural State University (PSAU).
The set of management practices is now a key marker in making bamboo a commercially viable industrial material and an alternative to commercial lumber.
PSAU was able to put up a bamboo nursery that it had established through the help and support of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) as the facility that helped benchmark the best practices through series of experiments which approaches best suited to the propagation of bamboo shoots.
PCCARD funded the nursery with an aid of P5 million.
The nursery housed various varieties and samples of bamboo.
Also, part of the outputs of the project is the establishment of a bamboo plantation and the Smarter Bamboo Nursery.
The nursery, which was established in 2018, aims to increase bamboo production in Central Luzon.
Timing is an essential aspect of the success of the propagation process. The age of the bamboo cuttings, as well as the season from which the cuttings have been taken and would be planted, are all key areas to be considered in ensuring the success of the propagation.
Timing and the quality of bamboo shoots contribute to an 85 percent survival rate which is a great improvement from the 50 percent in the previous propagation efforts.
The timing of the planting season is also essential according to Soriano.
The months of July, August, and September, which are cooler months, contribute to the hardening process. Under the selection of bamboo shoots, the PSAU research discovered that the age and quality of planting materials greatly affect the survival of the bamboo shoots.
Planting materials would need to be at least six months to one year old to at least qualify as material.
Management practices under the project dubbed “Development of Strategies for Propagule and Shoot Production of Three Bamboo Species” also play a key role in improving the survival of bamboo shoots.
The PSAU management system places great value on maintaining the temperature, moisture and humidity of the shoots in the nursery facility.
The PSAU management practices also maximize the use of rooting media. Optimal results are achieved with the use of 10gm NaCl.
The use of sand as a soil medium also contributes to the easy rooting of the shoots.
The use of sprinklers is ideal during the dry season as it helped increase bamboo shoot production in kawayan tinik from 6-7 to 10-12 shoots/clump per year. Understanding the rooting procedure for different bamboo varieties is also essential, according to Soriano.
The PSAU method shows that the two-node branch cutting method is recommended, resulting in a 64 percent survival rate in kawayan tinik, a 46 percent survival rate in bolo, and a 50 percent survival rate in a giant bamboo.
He added that some species of bamboo can be marcotted like the giant bamboo and kawayan tinik while the bayug variety is best reproduced through the nodal technique.
The PSAU nursery has been supplying the bamboo needs of private companies and even government agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Under the PSAU method each seedling costs P100 in production, these are sold by PSAU to partners to recover the cost of production and produce more seedlings. PSAU is optimistic that with the new methods and techniques they have developed, more will venture into the possibility of commercial bamboo propagation.
This, as bamboo's many vital economic and ecologic uses, may yet propel it as the country's next alternative material for lumber and as an effective greening agent to increase the country's forest cover.
According to the PCAARRD, bamboo is a popular non-timber forest product and a viable substitute for wood in furniture, wall, and floor panels.
PCAARRD said bamboo can be used in handicrafts and consumed as food. Studies show it also prevents soil erosion and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.
There are 62 species of bamboo thriving in the Philippines and 21 of which can only be found in the country.