Nutrient accumulation, distribution and use efficiency in different bamboo plant species in north-eastern hills region of India

Abstract

Nutrient accumulation, distribution and use efficiency in 30 bamboo plant species were studied in a 14 years old bamboosetum at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh Centre. Per cent concentration of N, P, Ca, Mn and Z n in different component of biomass had similar pattern in all the species. It was in the order of leaves > branches > stems and the concentration of K, Mg and Fe was in leaves > stems > branches. The N: P: K ratios of above ground biomass varied in different bamboo plant species (76-706 : 1 : 66-930). They showed that P was most limiting nutrient. Bamboo plant species had inherently different response to low P. Recycling of the nutrients through litters showed variability in the range of 2.7-40.9, 0.6-31.4, 1.5-21.1, 3.0-35.4, 1.0-35.4, 2.0-26.3, 0.5-8.0, 1.2-15.0 and 5.0- 39.3% of the annual uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn respectively, in different bamboo species. The pattern of nutrient-use efficiency was also different in 30 bamboo plant species.