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| Bamboo cultivation |
Bamboo is a permanent and evergreen tree, that belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. Bamboo's are versatile, strong, renewable and also environment-friendly compound which can be simply grown for different kinds of purposes. Bamboo is also considered the fastest growing woody plant on earth and that's true. So, in this article we will discuss about the- How to do Bamboo Cultivation? And the Many different Bamboo Products and their uses.
Introduction to Bamboo Cultivation-
Bamboo is one of the most and commercially cultivated crops in India country and it is also described as ‘a poor man’s timber’. India is the second largest producer of Bamboo in the world after China. The yearly bamboo production in the country is estimated at around 3.23 million tons. In Asia, bamboo is the most integrated part of the culture and is used as a substitute to woods. It is specially used as building materials, furnitures, pulps and plywoods. India is very fortunate to be blessed with good bamboo resources. Moreover, the bamboo shoots are consumed as food and are considered better source of nutrition. The northeastern states are the major bamboo making states in the country. For Bamboo cultivation, there are many conditions are requires like climate, soil etc.
There are around 136 species of bamboo which are occurs in the country, still only some of them are commercially feasible.
Climate Requirement for Bamboo Cultivation-
The bamboo plantation grows well in hot to warm temperature climatic situation. But it must be remembered that it doesn’t needed temperature below 15 °C in the summer season. Since the bamboo has thin roots and also the ample growth, we must creates provisions to protect it from strong winds. Also, an space that consume cold winds are just not apt for bamboo cultivation as the winds kills the tips of bamboo leaves.
Soil Requirement for Bamboo Cultivation-
Bamboo can be grown and cultivated on a wide types of soils except for rock-strewn soils. Bamboo cultivation also needed well drained sandy soil to clay soil that should have a pH range between the 4.5 to 6.0. If we talk about India, then the Barack Valley area is good suited for bamboo cultivation because of the better soil and suitable climate conditions.
Propagation-
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| Propagation of Bamboo |
Actually, the bamboos are propagated through the Culms cuttings or also Rhizomes. But they can also be propagated through the seeds, which are very rarely available. Bamboo seedlings are normally raised on nursery beds and for a year or so they are allowed to grow on poly pots. After the seedling is transferred into the actual region. In the rhizome planting technique, a small care is required. Here, culms of 1 year along with roots should be dug and cut into 1 meter size and be planted in the rainy season.
Some other points to consider are:
Usually bamboo planting is done in the rainy season. The pits size of 60*60 must be digged and nursery-raised seedlings should be planted at a space of 5*4 meter. The number of bamboo plants that can be placed in 1 acre land is about 200.
The gestation period in bamboo planting is 5 years. Hence the inter space can be used during first 3 years for earning some extra income by growing inter crops such as ginger, chillies or turmeric.
Manuring and fertilizers-
For larger quality Manuringand good yield, fertilizers and caring is necessary. Manure and fertilization are most required when the seedling is transplanted in the major/ main area. As the bamboo plants are heavy feeders, even the richest soil will get washed-out after few years, if fertilizers are not used on them. But it is always suggested to using fertilizer after harvesting and before that to irrigating the plants. Potassium and Nitrogen are very important substituents of the fertilizer because of the bamboo plants respond and grow well. Also we must use green Manures, Organic compost, Wood ash and Chemical fertigation.
The disease like- Leaf biting and sucking insects are the common disease in young bamboo plants. Hence, suitable pesticides should be used to control these pests.
Irrigation-
Irrigation also must be done continuously while the bamboos are grown on nursery beds. Immediately water should be required at the time of transplanting seedlings from nursery to major area. It must be noted that bamboo plants are sensitive to water logging therefore we must drain out the soil specially during heavy or more rainfall or flooding.
Harvesting of Bamboo-
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| Harvesting of Bamboo |
The harvesting of the Bamboo's can be initiated from the fourth to fifth year onwards. While, in case of commercial farming, harvesting must be done from the sixth year. In the first harvest -sixth year, 6 culms can be harvested followed by 7 culms in the seventh year and so on.
The unit cost for one acre of bamboo cultivation is about Rs 9400 spread over a time of five years. And as we mentioned above, harvesting initiated from the sixth year onwards. The yield and income from bamboo cultivation, rises each year starting from the sixth year. Hence we can say that Bamboo is a cash crop having low gestation time, faster growth and gives economic recurring returns, generation after generation.
Wooden materials are mostly used at homes due to many different causes. They are beautiful, versatile, and bring a natural warmth to any space that means big spcee or small space. Traditional woods, on the other hand, can be dangerous to the environment when collected, and the preparation method has a significant carbon footprint. Bamboo products are becoming more and more popular as a sustainable option.
The bamboo plant is self-renewing and does not needed replanting. It also has exceptional durability and natural resistances, extending the life of any product it is applied to.
Bamboo is a fantastic compound most for preparing any kind of material. There are already over 1,000 species of bamboo accessible, which can let enterprises produces a different types of things without strain. Bamboo items are also one of a kind in terms of design.
So, this are the information about Bamboo cultivation.
List of Top 10 Bamboo Based Products for Your Sustainable Home
Here are the some mainly used bamboo-based products, whose uses can be a step towards the sustainable lifestyle:
1) Bicycle -
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| Bicycle |
Changing to a bicycle is an environmentally diligent resolution in and of itself. An even best idea is to ride a bamboo bicycle. Bamboo's natural vibration dampening characteristics produce it super to other bicycles. Despite being a lightweight material, bamboo has a higher tensile strength than carbon, aluminium, or steel. It also has a higher compression strength than concrete.
Toothbrush-
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| Toothbrush |
Bamboo is also used to preparation of toothbrushes, that we use on a regular basis. The bristles are comprised of nylon or maize fiber, and the handle is constructed of bamboo, producing the device environmentally friendly. Bamboo's carbonization finishing procedure creats it water resistant and limits microbial growth. As a result, the product is both antibacterial and biodegradable.
Comb -
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| Comb |
A bamboo hair comb or brush is a more environmentally friendly option than a plastic one. People's usually spend a lot of effort and money in searching the good quality hair care products. All of our hard work will be for naught if you don't have a nice comb. Bamboo combs are supposed to gives application such as a healthier scalp, reduced frizz, enhanced circulation, and hence improved hair growth. It's widely available, both online and offline.
Tea/Coffee Mug-
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| Tea coffee/mug |
Our mugs are ceramic or plastic. A bamboo one is a more environmentally friendly and healthier solution. It's totally builded of antibacterial bamboo that's been treated. Furthermore, they are inexpensive, costing less than Rs 250-300.
Bottle -
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| Bottle |
Plastic bottle are majorly use in nowadays. But when we get natural one then it is really enjoying. That means -If it's made of a biodegradable substances such as bamboo, you will get bonus points and health application. It's fashionable as well as functional, as it keeps our water cool. Bamboo flasks with a stainless-steel twist are also available online. The bamboo bottle can definitely shiw to very applicable and easily available through e-commerce platform.
Straw-
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| Straw |
Switching to bamboo straws is other important single-use plastic item that may be fully avoided. This can be used again after a thorough cleaning. For 159, you can get four of these straws. The box also contains a cleaner and a pouch. They last for a long time and are totally biodegradable. Straw is the best Bamboo product used on daily basis.
Soap Case-
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| Soap case |
These soap pots can be hung on the bathroom wall or tucked away in a corner. There is a bamboo-based alternative for any application. It performs the same function as a plastic casing but is more durable.
Cutting Board-
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| Cutting board |
You can select a bamboo board to cut our vegetables, meats, and fruits with style. It is also not very costly. It's exceptionally thick to keep it from cracking or warping. It also lasts a long time.
Watch -
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| Watch |
Bamboo is adaptable and hence can even be used to produce a watch. Bamboo link bands can be folded and expanded. They are unpainted yet finely polished to maintain the material's rustic appearance. This is another unisex item.
Razor-
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| Razor |
Razors are very used by people of all genders in these days.. They are changes on a regular basis, which adds to the amount of plastic garbage. A bamboo razor may be used for a longer period of time and is also environmentally applicable. Only the blades required to be replaced on a regular basis.
So, this are the different Bamboo Products that are used in large quantity in nowadays.