Bamboo Research at the Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam: A Review

Abstract

Bamboo is an integral part of life in the Northeast India, occupying 33% of bamboo growing area and holding 39% of the bamboo growing stock of the country. The region is the centre of origin of woody bamboos, and has a rich diversity with more than 90 species. Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat (RFRI) has undertaken various research activities on bamboos in the Northeast India, including distribution, flowering, genetic improvement, silviculture, agroforestry, pest and disease management, genetic variation studies, ex-situ conservation, tissue culture, preservative treatment, use in restoration of degraded lands, value addition and socio-economics. The paper reviews and summarizes the work done by RFRI since 1976 till date, and also provides the roadmap for the future research and extension, which will be applicable not only for the region, but for the entire country.