Muli Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera)

Muli Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) Plant Guide

Local Indian Name: Assamese: (Muli Banhi), Bengali: (Muli Bash), Hindi: (Muli Bans), Manipuri: (Ngatkhong), MIZO: Rawṭhing

Scientific Name: Melocanna baccifera

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Category: Bamboo (Perennial Grass)

Subcategory: Clumping Bamboo

Native Region:

• Origin: Indigenous to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia.

• Distribution: Predominantly found in the Northeastern states of India including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. 

Introduction:

Muli Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) is one of the fastest-growing bamboo species in India. It is widely cultivated for construction, paper pulp, handicrafts, edible shoots, and ecological conservation. This species is known for its unique fruit-bearing characteristic, which triggers mass flowering and masting events every 40–50 years, leading to ecological phenomena like rat floods.

Importance & Benefits:

• Economic Importance: Used in construction, paper production, furniture-making, and handicrafts.

• Ecological Benefits: Helps in soil conservation, preventing erosion, and enhancing biodiversity.

• Culinary Use: Young bamboo shoots are edible and rich in fiber and nutrients.

• Carbon Sequestration: Highly effective in absorbing CO₂ and improving air quality.

• Sustainable Resource: Bamboo grows rapidly and regenerates without replanting, making it an eco-friendly alternative to timber.

Description and Cultivation:

• Height: Can grow up to 10–20 meters.

• Diameter: Culms (stems) range from 5–8 cm in diameter.

• Leaves: Long, narrow green leaves that provide dense foliage.

• Culms: Smooth, straight, and light green when young, maturing into a woody texture.

• Flowering Cycle: Flowers once in 30–50 years, followed by mass fruiting and then dies off.

• Growth Rate: Can grow up to 1 meter per day under ideal conditions.

Varieties and Cultivars:

• No major cultivars exist, but variations in growth patterns and culm thickness can be observed based on geographical and climatic conditions.

Location and Light:

• Preferred Climate: Thrives in warm, humid, and tropical climates.

• Sunlight Requirements: Requires full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade.

• Altitude Range: Grows well at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,500 meters.

Soil Preparation:

• Best Soil Type: Prefers well-drained loamy or sandy soil.

• pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).

• Soil Enrichment: Adding organic compost or manure improves soil fertility.

Planting:

• Best Season for Planting: Monsoon season (June to August).

• Spacing: Maintain 5–7 meters between plants to allow proper growth.

• Pit Size: Dig 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm pits filled with organic matter before planting.

Watering:

• Young Plants: Require frequent watering to establish strong roots.

• Mature Plants: Drought-resistant, but benefits from regular watering during dry periods.

Pruning:

• Purpose: To remove dead or weak culms and enhance overall growth.

• Frequency: Conduct annual pruning to maintain healthy clump growth.

Pest and Disease Management:

• Common Pests:

  • Bamboo borers

  • Termites

  • Scale insects

• Common Diseases:

  • Fungal infections in humid conditions

  • Rotting due to waterlogging

• Management Practices:

  • Regular cleaning of old and decaying culms.

  • Organic pesticides like neem oil to control insects.

  • Improved drainage to prevent root rot.

Environmental Conditions:

• Temperature: Ideal range is 20°C to 35°C.

• Rainfall: Grows well in areas receiving 1,500–3,000 mm of annual rainfall.

• Humidity: Thrives in moderate to high humidity.

Propagation:

• Seeds: Rarely used due to long flowering cycles.

• Rhizome Cuttings: The most common method, where healthy underground rhizomes are replanted.

• Culm Cuttings: Sections of mature culms with nodes are planted for propagation.

Uses:

• Construction Material: Used for scaffolding, bridges, fencing, and houses.

• Paper & Pulp Industry: A major raw material for paper production.

• Handicrafts & Furniture: Used in making baskets, mats, furniture, and decorative items.

• Food: Young shoots are harvested for culinary use, especially in Northeast India.

• Fuel & Charcoal: Used as firewood and for making charcoal.

• Environmental Conservation: Helps in soil erosion control and reforestation efforts.

Monetary Benefits:

• High Market Demand: Due to its versatile applications in construction, paper, and handicrafts.

• Income Generation: Farmers can earn ₹100,000–₹200,000 per acre annually through commercial cultivation.

• Bamboo Shoots Market: Processed bamboo shoots are sold in domestic and international markets, fetching premium prices.

• Eco-Tourism & Agroforestry: Can be used for bamboo tourism and carbon credit programs.

References:

1. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

2. Bamboo Research Institute of India

3. Forest Survey of India (FSI)

4. National Bamboo Mission (NBM)