Do Van Ban
Forest Plant Resources Research Division (FPRRD)
Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV)
Some bamboo species can provide edible shoots, and these have become sworldwide clean vegetable source. Countries such as China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan had suggested planting bamboo species for shoot production not only for local consumers but also for processing many kinds of bamboo products to export. Vietnam is very rich in bamboo species, and among these some bamboo species can produce delicious shoots and since a long time ago many dishes from bamboo shoots have been a traditional specialty. However, only a few bamboo species were selected for planting, but not specifically for shoot production. Since 1977, the Vietnamese regime advanced the program to encourage agricultural and forestry expansion to enable import of exotic bamboo species, which can ensure a high yield of highly valuable shoots for export.
This study was carried out in order to select suitable exotic bamboo species, to experiment on planting and application of intensive cultivation measurements, and to write planting technique guidelines.
To carry out this study the major methods applied were: Expert methods for bamboo species selection; and experimental method to test intensive cultivation methods. The applied intensive cultivation was a combination of variation of density, fertilizer and number of stems per clump.
The study was done between 2000 to 2004 and experimental pilots located in Ngoc Lac in Province Thanh Hoa and Cau Hai in Province Phu Tho with total plantation area of 13,5ha. As first result, three bamboo species as suitable were selected: Diem truc or Bat do (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro), Luc truc (Bambusa oldhamii Munro) and Tap giao (Bambusa hybrid). For Dendrocalamus latiflorus three densities (400, 625 and 1111 clumps per ha) were applied; and for Bambusa oldhamii with density of 400 and 625 clumps per ha; and for Bambusa hybrid with density of 625 and 1111 clumps per ha. As fertilizer three doses were applied such as P1 (low) with 10.0 kg dung plus 0.5kg NPK, P2 (medium) with 15.0kg dung plus 1.0kg NPK and P3 (high) with 20kg dung with 1.5kg NPK. The regulation of stem number per clump followed two recipes S1 (low) with one 3-year stem, two 2-year stems and two 1-year stems; and S2 (high) with two 3-year stem, three 2-year stems and three 1-year stems.
Five years after planting and applying intensive cultivation methods the study has determined that in D. latiflorus pilot area with 625 clumps/ha, each clump consisted two 3-year stem, three 2-year stems and three 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 10.0kg dung plus 0.5kg NPK there only was low shoot production and in pilot area with 400 clumps/ha, each clump consisted one 3-year stem, two 2-year stems and two 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 20.0kg dung plus 1.5kg NPK there was high shoot production of 8.3 tones fresh shoot /ha. This situation was as same in other planted with other species. In B. oldhamii experimental areas with 625 clumps/ha, each clump consisted two 3-year stem, three 2-year stems and three 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 10.0kg dung plus 0.5 kg NPK there only was low shoot production and in area with 625 clumps/ha, each clump consisted one 3-year stem, two 2-year stems and two 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 20.0 kg dung plus 1.5 kg NPK there was high shoot production (2.3 – 2.7 tones fresh shoot /ha). Bambusa hybrid planted with 625 clumps/ha, each clump consisted one 3-year stem, two 2-year stems and two 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 20.0kg dung plus 1.5kg NPK ensured high shoot production, high shoot yield (but higher shoot yield (ca. 9.1 tones fresh shoot /ha) in area with 1111 clumps/ha, each clump consisted one 3-year stem, two 2-year stems and two 1-year stems, and fertilizer volume of 20.0kg dung plus 1.5kg NPK. The study also showed that annual shoot time of all three species from April to October. Shoots of D. latiflorus and Bambusa hybrid could be harvested when 30-35cm high open-air length, but shoots of Bambusa oldhamii must be harvested while in ground.
All results of the study were summarized for completing of the planting technique guide applied currently in many locations. The selected exotic bamboo species were affirmed suitable in ecological condition in Vietnam and those species are quite to plant in large areas for shoot production not only to meet the local needs but also to export. Some intensive cultivation methods could be applied in order to improve shoot yield and quality.
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