Macro Propagation Techniques in Bambusa Vulgaris Var. Vulgaris

Bamboo represents one of the world's best natural and renewable resources which serve as an Eco-friendly alternative to rapidly depleting wood resources. The importance of bamboo to the world economy and its people is enormous which is defined by its various names used by people like Vietnamese where they call it as 'my brother', the Chinese 'Friend of the people' and in India it is widely known as 'Green gold' or 'Poor man's timber'. It is a major non-wood forest product. Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris commonly called as "Pan-tropical Bamboo" is one of the important multipurpose bamboo species which has great potential in India for pulp wood and best suited for a variety of purpose. The easiest and most common method of propagation is through seeds. However, due to a long flowering cycles, availability of seeds is very difficult which makes regular raising of seedling impossible. In-vitro methods offer great scope for mass multiplication, but are not commercially viable owing to higher cost of production. However, propagation through culm, branch and rhizomatous cuttings are the most suitable methods for mass multiplication quality planting stock.