Assessment of biomass carbon stock of macroproliferated seedlings of selected bamboo species in hilly region of Assam

Bamboo plays an important role in global carbon cycle. It is a long lived woody giant evergreen grass belonging to Poaceae family. Bamboo is extensively distributed in tropics, sub tropics and temperate region of the world. India is the second largest bamboo producing country in the world and two third of growing stock is available in North East India. Bamboo plant can able to clean environment by carbon sequestration, lower light intensity and protect earth from UV rays. Due to fast growing canopy cover, it releases more oxygen as compare to similar stands of tree. The study assessed the growth performance, biomass production and quantifies carbon stock of three economically important bamboo species such as, Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa nutans and Bambusa tulda cultivated through macroproliferated seedling in jhum affected area of Karbi Anglong district Assam. Each bamboo seedling was planted at 6.6 x 6.6 m spacing. Number of newly emerged culm, growth performance, above ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock from one year interval up to four year of growth was recorded. Maximum height and DBH was recorded in B. balcooa (5.85m & 4.80 cm), B. tulda (5.67m. & 3.59 cm.) followed by B. nutans (4.39 m & 3.38 cm.). B. tulda has higher biomass accumulation potential than B. balcooa and B. nutans. Study revealed that stem, twigs and leaves of B. tulda accumulate 43.34%, 34.42% and 22.26% carbon content respectively in 4th year old seedling. Amount of above ground biomass carbon stock evaluated from stem (382.60 t C ha-1) twigs (21.47 t C ha-1) and leaves (10.02 t C ha-1) of B. tulda plantation indicate as potential species for protect environment. Study concluded that bamboo seedlings established through macro proliferation technique will help to mitigate climate change.