Optimizing bamboo harvesting techniques under varied spacing regimes for sustainable agroforestry

Bamboo-based agroforestry offers significant potential as a sustainable resource, providing wood alternatives, food, nutritional benefits, and economic security. Dendrocalamus stocksii, a valuable bamboo species, is commonly used in the furniture industry as a substitute for cane rattan. However, bamboo harvesting often involves sacrificing younger culms, which negatively affects the long-term productivity and vitality of bamboo clumps. Limited research exists on sustainable harvesting practices for this species, necessitating further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate two harvesting methods- Horse Shoe Method and Tunnel Method, under different spacing regimes to identify the most sustainable harvesting techniques. The experiment was conducted at the Main Agriculture and Horticultural Research Station, Shivamogga, Karnataka, with three spacing regimes: 8m × 4m, 8m × 6m, and 8m × 8m. A color-coded age demarcation technique was employed to select culms for harvesting based on their age. Results indicated that wider spacing (8m × 8m) significantly increased the number of harvestable culms (4.71 on average) compared to closer spacing regimes (3 at 8m × 6m and 2 at 8m × 4m). In terms of harvesting methods, the Tunnel Method harvested 11 culms, with only 8 younger culms sacrificed, while the Horse Shoe Method resulted in 13 culms, including 10 younger ones. The Tunnel Method yielded 33% more mature culms and reduced the sacrifice of younger culms by 55% compared to the Horse Shoe Method. It concludes that the Tunnel Method with 8m × 8m spacing is the most sustainable approach, promoting bamboo clump health, maximizing yield, and supporting long-term ecological and economic sustainability.