Productivity and Nutrient Cycling in Recently Harvested and Mature Bamboo Savannas in the Dry Tropics

Data are presented for net productivity and nutrient (N, P, Ca, K and Na) dynamics in mature (5-year-old, harvested in 1982) and more recently harvested (in 1986) dry tropical bamboo savannas, on the Vindhyan plateau in India. The total biomass was 34 900 kg ha −1 at the harvested site and 47 260 kg ha −1 at the mature site. Harvesting increased the relative contribution of belowground biomass. The mean total net productivity (TNP) for the two annual cycles was 15 830 kg ha −1 year −1 at harvested and 19 320 kg ha −1 year −1 at mature site. Nearly half (46-57%) of the TNP was to be found!n the belowground parts. Short-lived components (leaves and fine roots) contributed about 80% of net production of bamboo (...)