Fertilizer Requirements of Bamboo Shoots in China and High-Yield Fertilization Techniques and Timing

Bamboo shoots have been regarded as a “delicacy among vegetables” in China since ancient times. Bamboo shoots are a traditional Chinese delicacy, fragrant in taste and crisp in texture, with an extremely long history of consumption and cultivation. So what are the fertilizer requirements of bamboo shoots in China, and what are the high-yield fertilization techniques and timing?Bamboo shoots need to continuously absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other mineral nutrients from the soil. According to research, producing every 1000 kg of fresh shoots requires the absorption of about 5-7 kg of nitrogen, 1-1.5 kg of phosphorus and 2-2.5 kg of potassium.

In early spring, in February, the temperature gradually rises, bamboo shoots grow faster and emerge from the soil one after another, and this is the period when the bamboo grove consumes large amounts of nutrients. After the new culms have grown, the growth of the bamboo grove shifts from the aboveground part to the underground part, which marks the beginning of a new growth cycle for the grove. Because large amounts of bamboo shoots are dug during this period, new culms form and old culms change their leaves, nutrient uptake increases markedly, and this is the key period for fertilization. In September, the bamboo grove spreads a large number of rhizomes and the shoot buds begin to differentiate, still continuing to absorb fertilizer. By December, the growth of the bamboo grove slows down, and in order to promote the growth of underground bamboo shoots and provide nutrients for early emergence and high yield of bamboo shoots the following year, organic fertilizer still needs to be applied.

The yield and quality of bamboo shoots depend on the growth of the bamboo grove itself and its accumulation of nutrients. Applying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers has a clear effect on increasing bamboo shoot yield. Nitrogen fertilizer increases yield by promoting the individual development of bamboo shoots, and also makes shoots emerge earlier and extends the shoot emergence period. Phosphorus fertilizer can raise the shoot emergence rate or directly promote the formation of shoot buds, thereby increasing the number of shoots, but excessive phosphorus application often delays shoot emergence. Potassium fertilizer helps improve quality. According to surveys, bamboo groves are generally fertilized 4 times a year.

The first fertilization is in March, called “shoot-promoting fertilizer” or “shoot-growing fertilizer”. Fertilizing at this time can prolong the shoot period, increase the weight of individual shoots, improve the yield and quality of bamboo shoots, and raise the rate at which new culms mature. It is generally based on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizers such as urea, with the amount accounting for about 10% of the annual fertilization. Apply 25 kg of urea per 667 sq m, mixed with water and applied in holes.

The second fertilization is in June, called “postpartum fertilizer” or “rhizome-growing fertilizer”. It mainly serves to rapidly replenish nutrients in the bamboo grove and restore its growth. This fertilization is based mainly on quick-acting fertilizers, with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium used in combination. The amount applied accounts for about 35% of the annual fertilization. Generally, apply 25 kg of urea, 500 kg of pig manure, 15 kg of potassium chloride and 50 kg of superphosphate per 667 sq m. Spread the fertilizer on the ground surface, then turn it deep into the soil. Organic fertilizers such as manure should be decomposed before application, so that the bamboo grove can absorb them quickly and the occurrence of underground pests can be reduced.

The third fertilization is in September, called “shoot-promoting fertilizer”. Drought weather is often encountered at this time. In order to alleviate drought stress in the bamboo grove and promote shoot bud differentiation, it is advisable to use low-concentration liquid fertilizer or solid chemical fertilizer diluted with water and sprinkle it on, so that the bamboo grove can fully absorb it. It is not advisable to apply bulky organic fertilizers such as manure and compost deeply, nor to spread organic fertilizer on the surface of the bamboo grove, in order to prevent the rhizomes from rising to the surface or becoming shallow, which is unfavorable to bamboo growth. For this fertilization, generally 1000 kg of human excrement and urine is diluted with 2-4 times its amount of water and sprinkled on. The shoot-promoting fertilizer accounts for 15% of the annual fertilization amount.

The fourth fertilization is in December, called “warmth-preserving fertilizer” or “shoot-bearing fertilizer”. At this time the bamboo grove grows slowly, so it is advisable to apply bulky organic fertilizers such as manure and compost. The fertilizer does not need to be decomposed; spread it directly on the surface of the bamboo grove to use the heat of fermentation to raise the soil temperature. The amount applied accounts for about 40% of the annual fertilization amount. Combined with adding soil, apply 2-2.5 tons of pig, cattle and other manure per 667 sq m. Because bamboo shoots rely on the mother culms to absorb nutrients, fertilization should be applied 0.5-1 m around 3-5 year old mother culms.