Role of bamboos in nutrient conservation during secondary succession following slash and burn agriculture (jhum) in north-east India.
Abstract
A study in 5, 10 and 15-yr-old 'fallow' stands at 3 sites at 200-300 m altitude, in the Garo and Khasi hills (Meghalaya) and the Naga hills (Nagaland), India. The main species was Dendrocalamus hamiltonii accompanied by Bambusa tulda, Neohouzeaua dullooa and B. khasiana, respectively, at the 3 sites. It is concluded that bamboos are very important during succession contributing 40-58% of total slash biomass and 49- 73% of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassum, but only 12-32% of calcium and magnesium.