Industrial Crop: Biomass  Management: Managed Multistem  Regional Crop

A plant of the moist tropics where it is generally found at elevations from 300 - 400 metres[310 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime annual temperatures are within the range 20 - 29°c, though it can tolerate 15 - 34°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 600 - 4,500mm[418 ]. It is found in areas both with and without a distinct dry season[418 ]. Succeeds in full sun and in light shade[418 ]. Prefers a heavy soil[418 ]. Often found in poor soils in the wild, though it can tolerate a range of soils if they are well drained[310 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7[418 ]. Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world[K ]. In natural populations the plant produces young shoots during the rainy season. Good years, when many new shoots are produced, alternate with poor years with many fewer new shoots[310 ]. Generally, more shoots are produced if the rain is abundant[310 ]. A clump is considered as good if it has 30 culms on average, but clumps may have up to 100 culms[310 ]. In Thailand, a 3-year-old plantation, raised from seeds, produced on average 38 culms per clump with an average diameter of 14 - 23mm, of which 28 culms per clump were harvestable on average[310 ]. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. Flowering is sporadic and gregarious. After flowering, the culms usually die. Gregarious flowering is rare and the flowering cycle is not known[310 ]. Spacing: 30-40 ft. (9-12 m).

Carbon Farming

• Industrial Crop: Biomass  Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
• Management: Managed Multistem  Regularly removing some multiple stems. A non-A non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.