Multi-Trait Morpho-Structural Evaluation of Bamboo Species for Commercial Cultivation in Semi-Arid, Karnataka
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55863/ijees.2026.1014Keywords:
Bamboo, Composite performance index (CPI), Multi-trait evaluation, Structural timber, Morphological grading, Core consistencyAbstract
Using a multi-trait method 17 economically significant bamboo species were categorised based on their morpho-anatomical traits, providing a scientific foundation for selecting suitable bamboo species for plantations as a wood substitute. The traditional methodology generally includes either a single-trait methodology or a discrete scoring system, and thus results in the clustering of ranks. To overcome such problems, the analysis has been carried out by analysing six morphological traits (culm height, culm girth, length of internode, wall thickness, diameter of 5th internode and hollowness) using two different methods, discrete total scoring (1-3) and composite performance index (%). Under both methods, the best bamboo species in the present study was Bambusa balcooa (rank 1 based on Total Score (16) and CPI (77.99%), followed by B. bamboos (Total Score (15) and CPI (62.47%) and Dendrocalamus asper (Total Score (15) and CPI (58.20%). Both methods indicated that B. polymorpha (Total score = 7, CPI = 23.22%) and B. wamin (CPI = 34.40%) were underperforming. Nonetheless, the CPI method has given additional discriminatory power for species with intermediate rankings since the former retains continuous biological variation and breaks ties. In this regard, Thyrsostachys oliveri improved its standing to third-best (60.48%), while D. longispathus had a comparatively poor ranking due to inferior structural traits. The repeated multivariate indexation technique provides a superior means of assessing bamboo using genetic criteria compared with the traditional one-score technique.
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