Bambusa tulda (Jati bans)

Bambusa tulda (Jati bans, Deo bans) is one of the most economically important bamboos of North-East India and a National Bamboo Mission species. It forms a relatively open clump of straight, thin-to-medium-walled culms 6–20 m tall, which are the raw material of choice for agarbatti (incense) sticks, plywood and mat board, basketry, handicrafts and the region's pulp and paper industry. The open clump habit makes it easier to thin and harvest than a dense thorny species. It grows best in the humid, high-rainfall conditions of Assam, Tripura and the surrounding hills.

Plant typeVegetatively propagated species
MaturityFirst cut year 4–5
Yield potentialHigh and consistent in Assam and Tripura conditions
Disease resistanceHardy; standard borer and blight watch in humid stands
SoilLoam
SeasonAll seasons

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

• Assam
• Tripura
• West Bengal
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland

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  The workhorse of commercial bamboo planting across India — a large, thick-walled, near-thornless clumping bamboo with strong, mostly straight culms to 20–25 m, used for construction, scaffolding, agarbatti sticks, board and pulp. Needs good soil and assured water for its best yield.

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• Beema Bamboo

  A selected, tissue-cultured clone of Bambusa balcooa developed by Growmore Biotech, Tamil Nadu — thornless, sterile (so it will not flower and die), uniform and disease-free at planting. Marketed for high-density biomass and bio-energy plantations, avenue planting and greening projects.

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• Bambusa bambos (Kanta bans)

  India's common giant thorny bamboo (also called Bambusa arundinacea), forming very large dense clumps with strong culms up to 30 m. The branch thorns make clump management and harvesting harder, but the culms are strong and widely used, and the young shoots are eaten.

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• Dendrocalamus strictus (male bamboo)

  The most widespread bamboo in India and the mainstay of the dry deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh and central India. Culms are smaller (8–16 m) and often nearly solid, making strong lathis, tool handles, agarbatti sticks and pulp. Genuinely drought-hardy — grown rainfed on 750–1000 mm of rain.

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• Dendrocalamus asper (sweet bamboo)

  An exotic, very large bamboo grown mainly for its thick, mild-tasting young shoots — the premium edible bamboo shoot in trade — while the heavy culms are also good construction timber. Needs deep, well-drained soil and warmth.

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• Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Kako bans)

  A large hill bamboo of the North-East and sub-Himalayan belt with long internodes, used for construction, baskets, mats and paper. Its tender shoots are widely eaten fresh and fermented in the region. Takes cold better than most bamboos.

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