Biomass estimation of <i>Dendrocalamus hookeri</i> grown at Far-western Terai, Nepal

Abstract

With a view to prepare biomass table of Dendrocalamus hookeri grown at Jhanjhatpur, Kailali district of Far-western Terai, a total of 152 culms were selected from forty-three clumps. Measurements of Diameter at 15 cm of the base (D₁₅), vertical height of the culm and green weight of the culm, branches and foliage were taken in the field. The sampled green weight was oven dried in Kathmandu. To estimate the biomass, regression model was developed on the basis of oven dry and green weight. The model used was W = a + b * (D²L). Based on the oven dry weight, the R² values obtained for culm, branch and foliage components were 94, 81.5 and 80 per cent respectively. Similarly, R² values for culm and foliage components on the basis of green weight were 97 and 80 per cent respectively. The R² values obtained for branch and foliage components were slightly lower as compared to the culm. The validity is to be done before applying this equation to different site conditions. Key words: Biomass; bamboo; Dendrocalamus hookeri; Nepal Banko Janakari Vol.16(2) 2006 pp.12-16