Age structure and biomass accumulation of Acanthopanaxgiraldii population in west Sichuan plateau

Abstract

To study age structure and medicinal parts biomass accumulation of Acanthopanax giraldii population in West Sichuan Plateau. The methods of plant population ecology were applied to the study. The ramets of A. giraldii were collected in sample plot, survey the age, height, basal diameter and biomass of ramets,and also survey the number,stem bark height and length of the one-year-shoot growing in clonal ramets. Then statistically analyzed the survey data. The article revealed growth rule of A. giraldii population. The mortality rate of clonal ramets reached a peak after six years growth. The power exponential fuction could reflect the correlation of age to the height, basal diameter and biomass of ramets. The production of medicinal parts was stable between two to six years growth of clonal ramets. Suggested to harvest medicinal parts after three years growth of the clonal ramets. The study could provide biologic basis to population management and sustainable harvest of A. giraldii.