Bamboo species for rehabilitation of mine tailings dam of the Philex Mining Corporation in Benguet, Cordillera Region

Tangan (DENR-CAR) determined bamboo species suitable for mine tailings dam. The four bamboo species used were 'kawayan tinik' (Bambusa blumeana), giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), Chinese bamboo (Phyllostachyus asper), and bayog (B. b. var. luzonensis).

Findings

• Bayog and kawayan tinik were drought resistant and found to tolerate water logging up to 63 days. They attained more than 90% survival despite low organic matter (0.19%) and nitrogen (0.01%) in the area.
• In terms of growth rates, bayog showed the highest diameter growth of 1.97 cm and height growth of 2.18 m, two and a half years after planting. Bayog did not die after flowering.
• Chinese bamboo produced the greatest number of shoots (36%).

Source: PCARRD, 2003. Highlights 2002, Los Baños, Laguna, 214p.