News: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Researchers have developed an eco-friendly composite material made of ‘Bambusa tulda’, a fast-growing bamboo species in Northeast India.
About Bambusa Tulda
- It is commonly known as Indian timber bamboo, sweet bamboo, Bengal Bamboo or Spineless Indian Bamboo.
- Habitat and distribution: It is found in mixed deciduous forest in plains, valleys, and along streams, up to elevations of 1,500 m. The range of its distribution is from northern India to Myanmar and Thailand.
- Size: It can grow up to 20-25 meters tall, with a diameter of 10-15 centimeters (4-6 inches).
- Conditions required for cultivation
- Temperature: It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 – 28°c, but can tolerate 9 – 32°C.
- Rainfall: It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 – 2,500 mm, but tolerates 700 – 4,500mm.
- Soil: It grows best in fertile, medium to heavy soils.
- Uses: The culms are generally used for construction, scaffolding, furniture, boxes, basketry, mats, household utensils, handicrafts and as raw material for paper pulp.
