Managing clumps of Dendrocalamus asper in Bukidnon, the Philippines

The productivity of Dendrocalamus asper (giant bamboo) in response to different fertiliser and mulch applications and to harvesting intensity was assessed over a period of 6 years. Edible bamboo shoot production was increased by fertiliser and mulch treatments; more shoots were also produced from clumps with higher numbers of 1- and 2-year-old culms. The treatment with retention of all shoots and culms caused congestion and reduced shoot production. The harvesting of edible shoots was antagonistic to achieving high culm yield;a high biomass yield was achieved only if most shoots were retained to produce 2-year-old culms for harvest. Average culm dry weight biomass yields were over 40 t/ha/year.