1. A rapid assessment of KEFRI bamboo trial sites Victor Brias Oprins Plant NV UNIDO Consultant EASTERN AFRICA BAMBOO PROJECT funded by executed by supervised by

2. Kenya logging ban – extended to Bamboo ( Y. alpina ) Forests Trials of exotic bamboos by KEFRI in 1988-1990 Appraisal conducted by B. Kigomo & G. Sigu in 1995 Renewed interest in Bamboo due to ongoing projects (EABP) Very Great Interest in Giant Bamboos ! Study conducted by V. Brias & G. Sigu in Aug. 2006 Field visits and analysis conducted between 7 Aug. – 6 Sept. 2006

5. Analyze the trial plantations in order to provide up to date information on species to site matching with specific focus on identifying suitable species for developing bamboo plantations in the Lake Region, highlands and coastal regions of Kenya.

6. Kakamega Muguga Jilore Gede

7. SiteKAKAMEGAMUGUGAGEDEJILORE RegionLake RegionHighlandsCoastal (Malindi) Coordinates0°14’S / 36°38’E1°54’S / 34°15’E3°20’S / 40°5’E3°12’S / 39°55’E Altitude1,675 m asl2,050 m asl50 m asl80 m asl Temperature (min)17°C11°C22°C24°C Temperature (max)33°C28°C33°C34°C Annual Rainfall1100-1950 mm900-1500 mm900-1400 mm550-1000 mm SoilsDark Brown Loams Deep Dark Red Clay Loams Sandy White Loams Sandy-red compact sandy soils Source: Kigomo & Sigu, 1996.

8. Bambusa vulgaris Bambusa bambos Bambusa tulda Cephalostachyum pergracile Dendrocalamus asper Dendrocalamus brandisii Dendrocalamus giganteus Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Dendrocalamus membranaceus Dendrocalamus strictus Thyrsostachys siamensis Phyllostachys species

9. 5 x 5 planting for all species Inadequate for large bamboos Suitable for some species (T. siamensis) Sites were unmanaged no systematic harvesting Weeds rotting / dead culms fire damage in some areas Plots not marked with species names - Some species not located/identified - D. giganteus, Ph. pubescens, etc. - Mix up of species at time of planting Noticable difference in species growth Highland (Kakamega /Muguga) Coastal (Gede / Jilore )

10. Sampling Clumps in each site Count new shoots / culms per clump Calculate average culms/clump per species / location Measure height / diameter / thickness Mathematical estimate of average dry weight of culms using 0.65 g/cm³ specific gravity as working assumption (less accurate than weighing the culms ! ) Estimate potential yield in tons/ha (dry basis) based on harvesting 25% of culms (1/4 of standing culms or culms > 3 years old. Benchmark results with published info about species in native habitats

12. Sampling Clumps in each site Count new shoots / culms per clump Calculate average culms/clump per species / location Measure height / diameter / thickness Mathematical estimate of average dry weight of culms using 0.65 g/cm³ specific gravity as working assumption (less accurate than weighing the culms!) Estimate potential yield in tons/ha (dry basis) based on harvesting 25% of culms (1/4 of standing culms or culms >3 years old.) Gauging results using info about species in native habitats as a benchmark

14. Mathematical estimate of average dry weight of culms using 0.65 g/cm³ specific gravity as working assumption (less accurate than weighing the culms!) Estimate potential yield in tons/ha (dry basis) based on harvesting 25% of culms (1/4 of standing culms or culms >3 years old.) Benchmark results with published info about species in native habitats

19. RESULTS Trial Site : Gede Performance in Asia Comparative Performance SPECIES H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) HDWT D. brandisii 15101825121860%83%100% B. vulgaris 8681571053%86%80% T. siamensis 62.59.4941567%63% D. strictus 9311.31083090%38% D. membranaceus 9551810 50% D. hamiltonii 957.520101545%50% B. bambos 957.520121845%42%

20. RESULTS Trial Site : JILORE Performance in Asia Comparative Performance SPECIES H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) HDWT D. membranaceus 127101810 67%70%100% B. bambos 15913.520121875% D. hamiltonii 106920101550%60%

21. RESULTS Trial Site: KAKAMEGA Performance in Asia Comparative Performance SPECIES H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) HDWT B. vulgaris 8791571053%100%90% D. brandisii 12111525121848%92%83% D. strictus 57251083050%88%83% D. hamiltonii 10 20101550%100%67% D. membranaceus 7781810 39%70%80% T. siamensis 52.59941556%63%60% B. tulda 671018101733%70%59% B. bambos 471020121820%58%56%

22. RESULTS Trial Site: MUGUGA Performance in Asia Comparative Performance SPECIES H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) H (m) D (cm) WT (mm) HDWT B. vulgaris 7791571047%100%90% D. brandisii 10 1825121840%83%100% C. pergracile 1065188656%75%83% D. hamiltonii 910 20101545%100%67% D. strictus 56231083050%75%77% T. siamensis 539941556%75%60% B. tulda 671018101733%70%59% D. membranaceus 7661810 39%60% B. bambos 46920121820%50%

23. Exotic Species Planted by KEFRI have shown reasonably good adaptability in various sites in Kenya. Culm Height is generally stunted, especially for giant bamboo species Notably good performance of B. bambos in coastal region (drought resistance).

24. Very Good Performance of B. vulgaris in Lake Region & T. siamensis in Highlands Exotic Species are especially valuable in Coastal regions (Gede / Jilore) due to demand by tourism industry in Malindi / Mombasa region

25. Thank You !

26. More info: Victor Brias Oprins Plant NV www.oprins.com www.bambunusaverde.com