Bamboo germplasm resources in India – documentation and conservation

Around 126 species of bamboos are reported to occur in India. Northeastren India (16 genera, 58 species) shows highest variability followed by Penninsular India (8 genera, 24 species), westren Himalayas (5 genera, 14 species), Andaman and Nicobar islands (6 genera, 7 species) and the Indo- gangetic plains (4 genera, 8 species). Status of live-conserved bamboo species germplasm in the country and a list of the naturalized non-native species is presented. Survey, collection and maintenance work carried out by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Basar centre is highlighted. Their respective herbaria are maintained at National Herbarium of Cultivated Plants (NHCP) at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources and Forest Research Institute (FRI). Related aspects on in situ conservation, taxonomy, classification and documentation of bamboo germplasm are discussed.