Modeling the apparent volume of bamboo culms from Brazilian plantation

Brazil has a great potential for cultivation of bamboo species. However, there is a scarce research on the biometric relationships in such plants, which may represent a limitation for its management and use. This article aims to evaluate six methods for estimating the total apparent volume of two species of the genus Bambusa, namely: B. oldhamii Munro and B. vulgaris Schrad. Ex J.C. Wendl. The models tested to estimate the apparent volume of the culms were: (1) Form factor; (2) Hush simple entry volume model; (3) Schumacher-Hall double entry volume model; (4) 5th order polynomial taper function; (5) Taper function using a polynomial with flexible exponents, and (6) Four options of the Data Mining technique (models 6-9).  We found that the model 5 provided the best fitting for B. oldhamii and model 3 was the most reliable for B. vulgaris.  For both species combined model 5 provided best fitting. Model 4 was also considered satisfactory. We concluded that the model 5 is the most accurate, although models 3 and 4 also generate reliable estimates. The models 3, 4 and 5 may be used by people and companies that cultivate, sell and produce the bamboo species included in this research work.   Key words: Accuracy, bamboo, modeling, regression, taper function.