Flowering and post-flowering reversion to vegetative phase of the giant bamboo – Dendrocalamus giganteus Wall. ex Munro in Kerala

Abstract

Flowering of Dendrocalamus giganteus occurred for the first time in Kottayam and Kozhikkode districts of Kerala during 2004 to 2007. The present study depicts the observations made on floral biology, seed set and post flowering behavior. The observations on floral biology agreed with the earlier descriptions by other authors. Clump flowered during 2007 in Kottayam district produced seeds in limited quantity while seed set was absent in the clump from Kozhikkode. Absence of in vitro germination of pollens and low pollen viability (10-15 %) by Acetocarmine staining indicate the low seed production. The observation on nature of flowering depicted at least two flowering cohorts in Kerala, the one that flowered currently and those, which do not flower yet. Of the various flowering cycles reported, the cohort currently flowering appears to show a cycle of 65 years. Clump flowered during 2004 in Mallappally reverted back to vegetative phase indicating the potential to develop a clone without death after flowering for commercial plantation.