The biomass production in an age series of Bambusa bambos plantations was e
stimated, and compared with its interspecies natural stands and between gen
era of natural and plantation stands. There was a linear increase of the to
tal biomass of all compartments with the age of the plantation. In the abov
e-ground biomass, the percentage contribution of culms(81%), branches(14%)
and leaves(1%) was 96%, whereas in the below-ground rhizome contribution wa
s 4%. The total biomass ranged from 2.3 t DM ha(-1) (1 year) to 297.9 t DM
ha(-1) (6 year). The mean annual biomass production was 49.6 t DM ha(-1), o
ver the 6 year period. The mean periodic increment and net primary producti
on was highest in the 5th year, during which a peak of 124.1 t DM ha(-1) yr
(-1) in net primary production was obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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