Live fencing (biofencing) can be defined as the practice of establishing and maintaining perennial herbs, shrubs and trees that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses along the field boundaries for various purposes such as demarcation based on title deeds, crop protection from the wild or stray animals and prevention of pilferage in a sustainable and cost effective manner. Mechanical fencing is invariably a costly affair and requires regular maintenance. Live fence offers a long lasting and cheap alternative for mechanical fencing. However, for effective fencing tree/shrub should have some minimum desirable characters such as fast growth rate and multiple useful properties.
Bamboo is fastest growing in nature and grows closely, therefore, constitute excellent live fence material. They can be propagated by rhizome, branch cutting and seed. Although they are browsed, but they escape damage due to fast growth and good culm strength. This species has good potential for live-fence, hence should be promoted among the farmers where crop damage by stray animals are the major issue. Bamboos belong to the Gramineae family and an extremely diverse plant, which easily adapts to different environmental conditions. It can grow on marginal land which is not suitable for other agricultural and forestry crops. Bamboo culms grow from the dense rhizome system. The rhizomes are of two types monopodial and sympodial. Monopodial rhizomes grow horizontally and develop rhizome buds either upward, generating a culm, or horizontally with a new tract of the rhizomal net. Monopodial bamboos are usually found in the temperate regions of the world. Sympodial rhizomes are short and thick, and generate culms above the ground which are close together to form a compact clump. Bamboos grow worldwide except in Antarctica and mainly concentrated in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Most of them grow in tropical and subtropical regions with good monsoon and heat conditions and few are grown in temperate and sub-arctic regions.
Planting Bamboo Fence
- Some
of the commonly recommended bamboo species for fencing include Bambusa
vulgaris, Bambusa multiplex and Bambusa arundinacea.
- For
effective bio-fence bamboo should be planted in a single row spaced 2.0m
apart and distance from any underground structure is 1.5 ft. This prevents
the root from causing any problems.
- Bamboos
typically prefers partial to full sun and needs a similar amount of water
as average lawn grass.
- Avoid
swampy places as bamboo needs a well drained soil.
- Purchase
young plants from nursery as younger plants are cheaper however, require
at least 3 years before they near a mature height.
- Plant
these in spring to allow time to grow. The diameter of the hole should be
2x that of the root ball.
- The
depth of the hole should equal the height of the root ball plus a few
inches.
- Fill
bottom of hole in with organic material, like compost.
- Place
bamboo plant in hole. Fill in hole with soil.
- Use a
mix of both the compost and local soil. Overall, 50% compost or organic
material will make for a very happy bamboo plant.
- Top
of root-ball should be level with surface. Unlike trees, put the mulch up
to the stem of the bamboo plant. Bamboo is a forest plant, it likes to
have it's roots covered by more than soil.
In general, bamboo plantation could be a very profitable business because the bamboo wood has a lot of applications in the current scenario. It is estimated that bamboo will become an alternative to wood as it grows and matures fast hence, future of bamboo market is bright. In recent times, bamboo is considered as an important economic asset which can play an important role in poverty eradication, economic and environmental development. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people in the world depend economically on bamboo and international trade in bamboo amounts to about US$ 2.5 million. Nowadays, several bamboo based products such as pulp for paper, ply bamboo, parquet and canned vegetable are available in the world market due to modern technological advances. It has also great potential for alleviating many environmental conditions such as land rehabilitation, carbon sequestration, water conservation, soil erosion control etc. Its uses are not only limited to being used as a substitute for wood but has great nutritional and therapeutic potential and provide a natural and eco-friendly way of health care in a sustainable manner. The leaves of various bamboo species are known to be a rich source of antioxidants and bioactive compounds, and can be used for the treatment of various health problems such as fever, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, detoxification, respiratory diseases, chest inflammation, oedema, restlessness and diarrhea, vomiting and excessive thirst. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine recommends bamboo and its products for treatment of various ailments. The young juvenile bamboo shoots are consumed as vegetables, salads, pickles, and in preparation of different types of dishes in many Asian countries, and are rich in nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidants. Along with crop protection, bamboo growers can earn a handsome income at a low investment.