Analysis of the Cell Structural Characters of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carriere) J. Houzeau) and Its Varieties

Abstract

In recent years, bamboo has been well exploited in the pulp and paper industry. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carriere) J. Houzeau; hereafter M), originated from China with a long history of cultivation as the most abundant resource with the widest distribution area among bamboo plants in China. In this study, Moso bamboo (M) and nine bamboo varieties were selected in the bamboo germplasm resources storage bank of the Anhui Taiping Experimental Station of ICBR. The characteristics of their cell structures were compared, and the differences were analyzed from a genetic perspective. The results showed that M had the highest fiber cell length, fiber cell width, length, and parenchyma width, while GJ showed the lowest of these measurements [P. edulis ’Kikko-chiku’,G.H.Lai]. The fiber wall thickness of Q [P. edulis f. obliquinoda (Z.P.Wang et N.X.Ma) Ohrnberger] was the smallest, while its fiber lumen diameter was the highest in the group. The parenchyma wall thickness and parenchyma lumen diameter of Q were the smallest in the group. The fiber cells of M and Q had better flexibility, which is conducive to improving the tensile strength, break resistance, and folding resistance of paper made from these materials. SY and GJ may be more suitable for ornamental items because of their special appearances. The purpose of this study was to explore the genetic variation patterns of various cell structure indicators among Moso bamboo and its varieties, as well as to develop a strategy of bamboo growing and lumbering based on the local conditions, providing reference data for the utilization of non-woody forest resources.