Preliminary study on composition of Lei bamboo in pro-tected plot.

Key words: 
• Lei bamboo /
• cultivation in a protected plantation /
• mulching /
• composition of bamboo

Abstract: Data collected from 44 Lei bamboo plots produced an average density of 1 7000 stalks per hectare and a variance coefficient of 31.1%.There is a large variation in density between each plot thus the high variance coefficient.A plantation is mulched in order to increase the soil temperature.An increase in the mulching frequency produces a higher flowering potential which is detrimental to a plantations productivity.Plantations that are mulched for three consecutive years or longer have a more than 11% flowering rate.It is suggested to mulch for two consecutive years then allow the plantation to lay dormant for one year.Thereafter the mulching cycle is repeated.This mulching technique is performed in order to maintain a healthy composition of rhizomes,a variety of age classes.The goal of a productive bamboo plantation is to have a density of approximately 16 500 stalks per hectare.