Evaluation of Alternative Substrates and Fertilizer Regimes for the Nursery Cultivation of Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz.

Federica Larcher,Walter Gaino,Marco Devecchi,Luca Battisti

doi:10.15835/nbha45210859

Federica Larcher, Walter Gaino + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha45210859

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Abstract

The economic importance of the bamboo cultivation in Asia is well known, but the recent rise of interest in Europe required more deep studies on growing techniques. Among the bamboo species, the Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz. is appreciated for its multiple uses: landscaping, timber and shoots production. In order to identify the best and sustainable combination of substrates and fertilization regimes, a nursery experimental trial was performed in 2016. Eight treatments (four substrates and two fertilization regimes) with 256 young plantlets divided into four randomized blocks were evaluated. The substrates used were: 40% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% pumice (standard substrate, S1); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 10% rice husk, 20% pumice (S2); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% rice husk, 10% pumice (S3); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% wood fibers, 10% pumice (S4). The two fertilization regimes were: 1.6 g l-1 (A) and 0.8 g l-1 (B) NPK (16-11-10) Osmocote Exact®. All substrates were supplemented with a fungal inoculum (2.5 g l-1) and corrected with 2.5 × 10-3 g l-1 of CaCO3. The number of culms and leaves and the SPAD values of six plants of each blocks were monthly measured. Fresh and dry weights, before and after cultivation was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed. Results showed that rice husk should be used only in low percentage, but wood fiber can be more suitable for bamboo cultivation. The combination of alternative materials and low fertilization regimes (S1_B and S4_B) should be the key for a more sustainable cultivation for potted Phyllostachys pubescens in Europe.

Highlights

IntroductionBamboo is the vernacular or common term for members of a particular taxonomic group of a large woody grass, widely distributed in all the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the world (Scurlock et al, 2000)
Man intentionally introduced alien plants into native ecosystems, which often resulted in substitution in those ecosystems (Komatsu et al, 2012).Bamboo is the vernacular or common term for members of a particular taxonomic group of a large woody grass, widely distributed in all the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the world (Scurlock et al, 2000)
Phyllostachys pubescens was introduced in Japan about 350 years ago mainly to produce heaths and young edible shoots

Summary

Introduction

Bamboo is the vernacular or common term for members of a particular taxonomic group of a large woody grass, widely distributed in all the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the world (Scurlock et al, 2000). There are about 1250 species in 90 genera of bamboo in the world (Lobovikov et al, 2012). Phyllostachys pubescens (synonym of P. edulis) is commercially one the most important species providing timber and the most predominant source of bamboo shoots (Lin et al, 2014). Phyllostachys pubescens was introduced in Japan about 350 years ago mainly to produce heaths and young edible shoots. This kind of cultivation has been growing rapidly in Europe since few years. Its cane has good commercial value and is often used in the construction of buildings or furniture, mats, musical instruments and artisanal crafts (Yang et al, 2016)

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