Effect of Time of Rhizomatous Propagation of a Temperate Zone Bamboo on Shoot Growth1

Abstract

AbstractAn experiment was designed to evaluate the influence of time of rhizomatous propagation of a temperate zone bamboo, Phyllostachys viridis, on shoot growth. Propagules (rhizomes) were dug at random from the field at approximately monthly intervals from September 30, 1960 to September 5, 1961. Three nodal sections of the propagules were planted in the greenhouse and evaluated 6 weeks later for the percent of nodal buds producing shoots and for the resultant shoot growth.There was no significant difference in mean shoot growth from rhizomes propagated during September, November, or December. December propagation favored smaller, but a greater number of shoots. Fifty percent greater shoot growth was realized from the propagation on February 21, 1961 than any earlier or later planting due to both the number of shoots produced and their average height per node.