Abstract
Fertilizers are commonly applied to improve the productivity and quality of bamboo. However, the nutrient responses of bamboo components after regular fertilization are not fully understood. This study was carried out to determine the effects of regular fertilization on the nutrient distribution of biomass components (i.e., culms, branches, leaves, roots, rhizomes) in a Moso bamboo stand in southern Korea. The study site was fertilized regularly for approximately 30 years to produce edible bamboo shoots. A total of 20 bamboo plants (10 fertilized and 10 unfertilized) were cut to measure the nutrient (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations of each bamboo component. Belowground roots and rhizomes were sampled at a 30-cm soil depth. The N, P, and K concentrations and stocks of aboveground biomass components were increased by regular fertilization, whereas the C, Ca, and Mg stocks were attributed to culm densities. The nutrient stocks of belowground roots were significantly lower in the fertilized plots than those in the unfertilized plots, except for the P stocks. The results indicate that regular fertilization could be a key factor to maintaining bamboo shoot productivity because of the increased responses of the nutrient concentration and stocks of bamboo components.
Highlights
In addition to being a traditional source of energy, bamboo provides a number of potential ecosystem services including carbon (C) sequestration [1], soil and water conservation, biofuel production, and food sources, among multiple other uses [2,3]
This study examined the nutrient distribution patterns of Moso bamboo components in response to regular fertilization
The N, P, and K concentrations of aboveground bamboo components were increased by regular fertilization, whereas the nutrient stocks of belowground roots except for P stocks were significantly greater in nutrient-deficient conditions compared with those of bamboo grown in better nutrient conditions via fertilization
Summary
In addition to being a traditional source of energy, bamboo provides a number of potential ecosystem services including carbon (C) sequestration [1], soil and water conservation, biofuel production, and food sources, among multiple other uses [2,3]. Fertilizers are commonly applied to improve the productivity and quality of bamboo, as soil nutrient availability often limits bamboo growth and production [2,6]. Several studies have found that bamboo shoot and culm production can be significantly increased with additions of nitrogen (N) or compound (NPK) fertilizers [7,8,9]. A dense root system that is efficient in taking up plant available-nutrients, which explains the fast response of bamboo to fertilization that has been reported in previous studies [2,3,8]. The use of fertilizers in bamboo stands has long been a management practice to increase the productivity of bamboo shoots and culms.
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