Bamboo Plants Research Articles

Aphicidal Activity of an Ageraphorone Extract From Eupatorium adenophorum Against Pseudoregma bambucicola (Homoptera: Aphididae, Takahashi).

The bamboo aphid, Pseudoregma bambucicola, is an important insect pest of bamboo that affects normal bamboo growth and induces sooty molds. The control of P. bambucicola involves the application of chemicals, such as imidacloprid, to which many species are resistant. In this study, we isolate a novel botanical pesticide (9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-ageraphorone) from an Eupatorium adenophorum(Asteraceae: Compositae) petroleum ether extract and test the aphicidal activity of this compound against P. bambucicola in laboratory bioassay and field-based experiments. This ageraphorone compound at a concentration of 2 mg/ml caused 73.33% mortality (corrected mortality [Subtracted the mortality of the negative control]: 70%) of P. bambucicola by laboratory bioassay within 6 h. Even at lower concentrations, this compound caused greater 33% mortality (corrected mortality: 30%) of aphids. Field experiments with naturally infested bamboo plants showed that two applications of 2 mg/ml ageraphorone to infested plants completely cleared infestations within 30 d. These effects were similar to those of the positive control (imidacloprid). These results reveal that 9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-ageraphorone exhibits significant aphicidal activity against bamboo aphids. We suggest that future research be directed at developing this ageraphorone compound from E. adenophorum as an aphicidal agent for biocontrol.

Estimativas de biomassa para plantas de bambu do gênero Guadua

Este trabalho objetivou ajustar equações para estimar a biomassa total de plantas de bambu, do gênero Guadua, bem como comparar o ajuste de equações por regressão linear com a técnica de mineração de dados. Foram utilizados 38 colmos de bambu, nos quais foram mensuradas as variáveis diâmetro à altura do peito (dap), diâmetro do colo do colmo e altura do colmo, seguido da determinação de massa total por método destrutivo. A biomassa determinada em 25 colmos foi utilizada para ajuste de equações pelo método dos mínimos quadrados e 13 colmos serviram para a validação da melhor equação. As frações de biomassa por compartimento diferem significativamente (p < 0,05) entre si. A maior fração da biomassa corresponde ao colmo, representando 69,2% do total, seguida pela dos rizomas, dos galhos e da folhagem, com 15,7; 10,8 e 4,2%, respectivamente. A melhor equação ajustada para estimar a biomassa total apresentou coeficiente de determinação de 0,93 e erro padrão da estimativa de 15%. Já a técnica de mineração de dados apresentou coeficiente de determinação de 0,81, com erro padrão de 23,8%. Pode-se estimar acuradamente a biomassa de Guadua por regressão linear e por mineração dos dados. Neste trabalho, o método de regressão apresentou melhor desempenho. A limitação de dados pode ser o fator determinante para o pior desempenho da técnica de mineração de dados, pois requer uma massa de dados mais ampla para funcionar satisfatoriamente.

Immature mosquitoes in bamboo internodes in municipal parks, city of são paulo, Brazil.

We conducted an inventory of the mosquito fauna of the internodes of bamboo plants grown in municipal parks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. During October 2010 to July 2013, a total of 8,541 immature stages belonging to 21 mosquito species were collected from bamboos over 61 municipal parks. Of these, Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species followed by Ae. aegypti found in broken bamboos in most parks. The former species was 7.2 times more abundant than the latter when both species shared the same habitat. Other species collected from bamboos included Culex quinquefasciatus and Haemagogus leucocelaenus. In bamboos with perforated internodes, species of the genus Wyeomyia were the most prevalent. Differences were also observed in species composition and abundance of mosquitoes collected in transversely broken bamboos and those collected from perforated bamboo internodes. Constant surveillance of these breeding sites is crucial due to the epidemiological importance of the species found. Furthermore, these breeding sites may help maintain some native wild mosquito populations along with a variety of other invertebrates found in these urban green areas.

Reproductive isolation between Stigmaeopsis celarius and its sibling species sympatrically inhabiting bamboo (Pleioblastus spp.) plants.

Stigmaeopsis celarius Banks (hereafter Sc) is a spider mite living and feeding on the leaves of various bamboo species such as Moso bamboo [Phyllostachys edulis (=P. pubescens)] and Pleioblastus spp. (Poaceae). A previous phylogenetic study revealed a cryptic, phylogenetic sister species to Sc (hereafter Ss). Although its life type appears to be similar to that of Sc, individuals of Ss make much smaller nests compared with Sc, and the nests have been found mostly on Nezasa bamboo (Pleioblastus argenteostriatus). To investigate whether Sc and Ss are reproductively isolated, we explored their populations in southwestern Japan, and crossed them to examine mating behaviors and fertilization success. Field surveys revealed that the nests of these two species occur on the same leaves and, thus, the individuals of these species may make frequent contact. Reciprocal crosses suggested that the two species are reproductively isolated. Though Sc males have tried to mate with Ss females, copulation seldom occurred because of their long opisthosoma (hind body), which prevented the insertion of the aedeagus into the genitalia of Ss females. In contrast, most Ss males ignored Sc females, and eggs were not fertilized even in the few cases where copulation appeared to occur. These results suggest that strong selection pressure is imposed on body length to prevent interspecific hybridization in the contact area of these species.

The biomechanics of bamboo: investigating the role of the nodes

The stem of the bamboo plant consists of a hollow, tubular culm with periodic nodes, characterised by an internal diaphragm and an external ridge. Bamboo is a highly anisotropic material having a strong fibre orientation, but in the vicinity of the nodes, the fibres diverge from their longitudinal orientations. Previous researchers have claimed that the nodes have a biomechanical function, preventing failure by making the tube stiffer and stronger. To investigate this claim, tensile and bending tests were carried out on material samples and intact culms, both with and without nodes, to investigate culm stiffness and strength. Crack propagation tests were also carried out to determine the effect of nodes on fracture toughness. The results suggest that far from being a point of strength, the node may be a point of weakness when loaded in tension. Material in the node has a significantly lower tensile strength; in bending tests on intact culm lengths, failure occurs when the stress on the tensile side is exactly equal to the node’s tensile strength. Failure occurs by longitudinal splitting: it is proposed that this may be initiated by cracks forming in the nodes. The spacing of nodes is too large to affect the stiffness and strength of the tube as a whole and also greater than the critical crack length for brittle fracture. Thus, the diaphragm and ridge structure of the node can be explained as an attempt to reinforce a biologically essential feature which would otherwise be a point of weakness.

Chlorogenic acid alters the voltage-gated potassium channel currents of trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, CGA) is a phenolic compound that is found ubiquitously in plants, fruits and vegetables and is formed via the esterification of caffeic acid and quinic acid. In addition to its notable biological functions against cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes and inflammatory conditions, CGA was recently hypothesized to be an alternative for the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and neuropathic pain disorders. However, its mechanism of action is unclear. Voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) is a crucial factor in the electro-physiological processes of sensory neurons. Kv has also been identified as a potential therapeutic target for inflammation and neuropathic pain disorders. In this study, we analysed the effects of CGA on the two main subtypes of Kv in trigeminal ganglion neurons, namely, the IK,A and IK,V channels. Trigeminal ganglion (TRG) neurons were acutely disassociated from the rat TRG, and two different doses of CGA (0.2 and 1 mmol⋅L−1) were applied to the cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to observe alterations in the activation and inactivation properties of the IK,A and IK,V channels. The results demonstrated that 0.2 mmol⋅L−1 CGA decreased the peak current density of IK,A. Both 0.2 mmol⋅L−1 and 1 mmol⋅L−1 CGA also caused a significant reduction in the activation and inactivation thresholds of IK,A and IK,V. CGA exhibited a strong effect on the activation and inactivation velocities of IK,A and IK,V. These findings provide novel evidence explaining the biological effects of CGA, especially regarding its neurological effects.

Lithological control on phytolith carbon sequestration in moso bamboo forests.

Phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) is a stable carbon (C) fraction that has effects on long-term global C balance. Here, we report the phytolith and PhytOC accumulation in moso bamboo leaves developed on four types of parent materials. The results show that PhytOC content of moso bamboo varies with parent material in the order of granodiorite (2.0 g kg−1) > granite (1.6 g kg−1) > basalt (1.3 g kg−1) > shale (0.7 g kg−1). PhytOC production flux of moso bamboo on four types of parent materials varies significantly from 1.0 to 64.8 kg CO2 ha−1 yr−1, thus a net 4.7 × 106 –310.8 × 106 kg CO2 yr−1 would be sequestered by moso bamboo phytoliths in China. The phytolith C sequestration rate in moso bamboo of China will continue to increase in the following decades due to nationwide bamboo afforestation/reforestation, demonstrating the potential of bamboo in regulating terrestrial C balance. Management practices such as afforestation of bamboo in granodiorite area and granodiorite powder amendment may further enhance phytolith C sequestration through bamboo plants.

Molecular evidence for bamboo as a new natural host of Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus

SummaryHimalayan ‘maggar’ bamboo (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii), widely distributed in the Himalayas, was found to exhibit mild virus‐like symptoms, which included mosaic, chlorosis, necrotic spots and mottling. Leaf samples from symptomatic plants were subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for the detection of Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV). Sequencing of the amplicon confirmed the presence of the virus. To further establish bamboo as a natural host of CNRMV, 35 varieties of bamboos maintained at CSIR‐IHBT were subjected to double‐antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS‐ELISA) and dot blot hybridization. Our results showed the presence of CNRMV in 21 species of bamboos belonging to five genera, viz. Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Fargesia, Arundinaria and Melocanna. For further confirmation of the results, the coat protein (CP) gene of CNRMV was amplified from two different local ‘maggar’ plants. Sequencing of the CP gene confirmed the presence of the virus. The two isolates characterized from bamboo plants, shared 99.8% nucleotide sequence identity with sweet cherry isolate JK10 characterized from India. This study presents sequence information from two isolates of the virus. CNRMV infection in bamboo is being reported for the first time and only the second virus reported in bamboo after Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV).

Biological cycle of silicon in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests in central Japan

AbstractSilicon (Si) has various biogeochemical functions, such as regulating soil formation and species composition, not only in terrestrial ecosystems but also in aquatic ones. Bamboo stands accumulate large quantities of amorphous Si. Evaluating Si dynamics in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests, which are currently spreading through eastern Asia, is important in understanding their biogeochemical function as a supply source of phytoliths. We conducted a study on the organic accumulation and biological cycle of Si in three P. pubescens stands in central Japan with different site characteristics. The amounts of Si accumulation aboveground and underground were 200–360 and 180–460 kg/ha, respectively. These values indicate that Si accumulation underground was comparable to that aboveground. Silicon supply to the forest floor through litterfall was 77–330 kg/ha/year corresponding to 165–706 kg/ha/year as phytoliths (SiO2), and 72–88 % was supplied as leaf litter. These results showed that a huge biogenic Si pool derived from bamboo plants exists in the floor of bamboo forests. Furthermore, we estimated the Si turnover time in P. pubescens forests as being 1.3–12.2 years, although this variation may depend on forestry conditions such as soil water content or stem density.

Isolation, Characterization, and Management of Colletotrichum spp. Causing Anthracnose on Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

International trade in ornamental plants has increased worldwide. Dracaena is the genus most frequently imported into the United States and many pests and pathogens currently not in the United States could be imported with Dracaena plant materials. In 2009, lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) with anthracnose symptoms was found in Florida. The associated fungus, putative Colletotrichum dracaenophilum, is considered a reportable pathogen that originated from Asia. Imported D. sanderiana plants with anthracnose symptoms were collected from a nursery in south Florida in 2011 and retail stores in north Florida in 2012 and 2013. Five isolates of Colletotrichum spp. were isolated from symptomatic D. sanderiana plants and Koch’s postulates were fulfilled for the first time. Polymerase chain reaction was performed on the internal transcribed space (ITS) and 28S rDNA regions of three original isolates and re-isolates and these sequences were compared with sequences of Colletotrichum spp. in GenBank. Sequence analysis indicated that the Colletotrichum isolates obtained from D. sanderiana in Florida belonged to C. dracaenophilum or the C. gloeosporioides species complex. Latent infections on healthy-looking lucky bamboo developed anthracnose lesions within 2 to 3 months. The reaction of several Dracaena species and varieties to the two Colletotrichum species was tested. Colletotrichum dracaenophilum caused the most severe disease on lucky bamboo, whereas one isolate of the C. gloeosporioides species complex was least pathogenic to all of the Dracaena spp. and varieties. Hot water treatments were not effective at controlling latent infections, but application of Azoxystrobin at 0.075 g a.i./L significantly reduced anthracnose development on both latently infected and inoculated lucky bamboo plants.

Enhanced cold stress tolerance of transgenic Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro (Ma bamboo) plants expressing a bacterial CodA gene

Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) is a widespread culm and shoot-producing species in southern China. However, low temperatures reduce Ma bamboo shoot production and delay its development. In an attempt to enhance its cold-tolerance, a bacterial CodA gene encoding choline oxidase was introduced into Ma bamboo by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, an approach that had not been previously utilized in bamboo. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed that CodA had integrated into the Ma bamboo genome. RT-PCR results showed that expression of CodA driven by the Arabidopsis Rd29A promoter was induced by cold stress in the transgenic bamboo lines. Following treatment at 4°C for 24 h, the content of glycine betaine (GB) increased to 83% and 140% in control plants (wild type (WT)) and CodA transgenic Ma bamboo plants, respectively. Superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities increased in both transgenic and WT plants. However, increases in these enzymes activities were much greater in the transgenic lines than in the WT plants under cold stress. The accumulation of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage (REL) in CodA transgenic Ma bamboo plants was less than that in control plants. Collectively, these results suggest that increased cold-tolerance induced by accumulation of GB in vivo was associated with the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities, which led to reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and stabilization of membrane integrity against extreme temperatures in transgenic plants.

Actual evapotranspiration and crop coefficients for five species of three-year-old bamboo plants under a tropical climate

Over the last decade, bamboo plantations have started to be used as vegetation filters for wastewater treatment. This treatment system can be useful in reducing wastewater discharge into the environment, thus contributing to the preservation of water resources by using the plantation's evapotranspiration to reduce the rate of water infiltration. The evapotranspiration rates of the bamboo species used is therefore an important factor. The actual evapotranspiration (ET) and the crop coefficients (kc) for the five tropical and temperate species of three-year-old bamboo plants, i.e. Bambusa oldhamii, Bambusa multiplex, Bambusa vulgaris, Phyllostachys aurea and Pseudosasa japonica, were studied in lysimeters for a period of more than one year under a tropical climate. The average ET rates for the bamboo species studied ranged from 4 to 7mmday−1 with maximum values of between 10.7 and 17.1mmday−1 during the wet season, and an average kc of 1.1 to 1.9. The ET was correlated to weather parameters, especially minimum temperatures. The differences in ET rates between the bamboo species can be explained by morphological parameters, in particular the total aboveground biomass. Among the five bamboo species studied, B. oldhamii had the highest ET rate and produced the most biomass. In comparison with other high-biomass-producing plants, the evaporation rates for young bamboo plants were similar to those for willow and poplar vegetation filters.

Properties of bamboo fibres produced using an environmentally benign method

The properties of bamboo fibres extracted from raw bamboo plants in an environmentally benign manner were investigated. To reduce environmental impacts of the manufacturing process, microwave, ultra-sonication and enzyme were used to extract the bamboo fibres, avoiding the use of hazardous chemicals. The new method enabled the extraction of single fibres while retaining a certain quantity of lignin in fibre. The retained lignin allowed the fibre to possess UV absorption and antibacterial properties, which will be advantageous for many textile applications.

The vacuoles containing multivesicular bodies: a new observation in interaction between Ustilago esculenta and Zizania latifolia

Ustilago esculenta infects Zizania latifolia plants and induces swelling on their upper culms. As an edible aquatic vegetable, these swellings are called jiaobai (white bamboo). The process of fungal development in Huijiao (grey bamboo) plants from seedlings to upper culm swelling was investigated using knife cut tissues, light and electron microscopy. All Huijiao plants were relatively taller than all jiaobai plants and in knife-cut sections sori development differed after culm swelling in Huijiao plants. Light microscope examination show that hyphae were both intracellular and intercellular, forming hyphal aggregations, and were more abundant in nodes than in internodes. Rapid increase of hyphal aggregations occurred 15 days before culm swelling, causing the death of abundant host cells, and hyphal aggregations differentiated into sori initiates. Ultrastructural observation showed that intracellular hyphae at the interface of fungus-host interaction were encased in a sheath with outer electron-opaque and inner electron-dense layer. Scale-like material and membrane-bounded vesicles were often present in an outer electron-opaque matrix of the sheath. Vacuoles, lipid globules (LGs) and multivesicular bodies (MVBs) were occasionally seen in these fungal cells. In summer, abundant electron-dense MVBs, LGs and fewer vacuoles containing MVBs were present in a fungal cell. As the temperature decreased, some MVBs became electron-opaque, some internal vesicles were also electron-opaque, and subsequently, the MVBs disappeared, leaving irregular remnant materials in vacuoles. During the rapid increase in hyphal aggregations, the irregular remnants of material within the vacuoles disappeared and LGs were rare. At the beginning of sori development, LGs once again became abundant in the cells of hyphal aggregation. The process of sorus and teliospore development was observed systematically and relationships between each developmental stage examined from knife cut tissues, and cytological and ultrastructural sections. Sorus development occurred with the commencement of upper culm swelling and differed in the same tissues. Teliospore development was also uneven in a sorus. The inner region of a sorus developed earlier than the outer part.

Research and Application Progress of <i>Shiraia bambusicola</i>

Shiraia bambusicola is a medicinal fungus growing on the twigs of bamboo plants, with the higher value in medicinal use. The natural resource of S. bambusicola has rapidly reduced recently because of the large-scale over-collection and the habitat destruction. The resource would be in extinction if there are no any protective measures and availability of sustainable use strategies. In this paper it is summarized that the application and development of S. bambusicola. A comprehensive analysis on the progress of research as well as the current problems in application and the future outlook are also proposed in the paper.

Intraspecific spatial niche differentiation: Evidence from Phyllostachys edulis

Interspecific niche differentiation has attracted much more attention than intraspecific niche differentiation. If the intraspecific competition of invasive species is greater than the interspecific competition, it should reduce the invasive abilities of invasive species. Thus, it is important to understand how invasive species avoid or reduce the intraspecific competition. Phyllostachys edulis in southern China is more competitive than many trees. After it invades a community, it can displace other trees. In the current study, we tested whether the different aged bamboo plants (aged two to eight in two-yr increments) exhibited spatial segregation (spatial niche differentiation). The study was performed in the Ecological Station of Dagang Mountain (114°30′∼114°45′E, 27°30′∼27°50′N), about 200km east from Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, China. We recorded the planar coordinates of all the plants with diameter at breast height (DBH) ⩾3cm. We used the conditional probability (type-specific probability) surface to show the spatial niche differentiation. We also compared the DBH of four aged groups of bamboo plants. We used the Shapiro–Wilk test to test the normality of DBHs of each age group. If DBHs did not follow the Normal distribution, we used the Weibull function to fit these data. Then we used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to test whether any two aged groups of DBHs came from the same population. At the end, we used the generalized additive models (GAMs) and a local regression model (LOESS) to explore whether there is a correlation between DBHs and the corresponding planar coordinates. We found that there was significant spatial segregation in four aged groups based on the statistical test. Bamboo plants may reduce their intraspecific competition by spatial niche differentiation. We found that the DBHs approximated the Weibull distribution, and there were very weak relationships between the DBHs and the spatial locations. We concluded that different aged bamboo plants exhibited spatial segregation and may reduce their intraspecific competition by spatial niche differentiation.

Mitochondrial genome of bamboo rat Rhizomys pruinosus

Bamboo rats are a group of subterranean rodents some of which feed on the roots and shoots of bamboo and other plants. In this study, we sequence the mitochondrial genome of a hoary bamboo rat Rhizomys pruinosus from the south of China. The genome is 16,575 bp in length, and had a gene content of 13 protein coding, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. The overall base composition is 30.94% T, 24.83% C, 32.21% A and 12.02% G, with an A + T bias of 63.15%. The cytochrome genes were the most conservative genes compared with plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) and blind mole rats (Spalax carmeli) in the family Spalacidae. These mitochondrial data are potentially important for the study of molecular evolution, conservation genetics, agricultural technology and epidemiology.

Effects of silicon and copper on bamboo grown hydroponically

Due to its high growth rate and biomass production, bamboo has recently been proven to be useful in wastewater treatment. Bamboo accumulates high silicon (Si) levels in its tissues, which may improve its development and tolerance to metal toxicity. This study investigates the effect of Si supplementation on bamboo growth and copper (Cu) sensitivity. An 8-month hydroponic culture of bamboo Gigantocloa sp. "Malay Dwarf " was performed. The bamboo plants were first submitted to a range of Si supplementation (0-1.5mM). After 6months, a potentially toxic Cu concentration of 1.5μM Cu(2+) was added. Contrary to many studies on other plants, bamboo growth did not depend on Si levels even though it absorbed Si up to 218mgg(-1) in leaves. The absorption of Cu by bamboo plants was not altered by the Si supplementation; Cu accumulated mainly in roots (131mgkg(-1)), but was also found in leaves (16.6mgkg(-1)) and stems (9.8mgkg(-1)). Copper addition did not induce any toxicity symptoms. The different Cu and Si absorption mechanisms may partially explain why Si did not influence Cu repartition and concentration in bamboo. Given the high biomass and its absorption capacity, bamboo could potentially tolerate and accumulate high Cu concentrations making this plant useful for wastewater treatment.

Survivorship of adult Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) feeding on indoor ornamental plants with no inflorescence

The international trade of lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana [Asparagaceae]) is responsible for certain introductions of the exotic species Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in California and the Netherlands. Understanding the association of this species with lucky bamboo and other ornamental plants is important from a public health standpoint. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of indoor ornamental plants as sugar sources for adult A. albopictus. If exposed to D. sanderiana, bromeliad (Guzmania spp. hybrid [Bromeliaceae]), Moses-in-the-cradle (Rhoeo spathacea [Commelinaceae]), 10% sucrose solution, and a negative water control as the only nutrient source, adult female A. albopictus mean survival time was 12, 7, 6, 15, and 4days, respectively. Mean survival times for adult males were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the females and were 10, 7, 6, 14, and 3days, respectively. Combined male and female survival times were not significantly different on lucky bamboo compared to survival times on a 10% sucrose control. Based on our findings, A. albopictus can readily survive long enough to complete a gonotrophic cycle and potentially complete the extrinsic incubation period for many arboviruses when only provided access to lucky bamboo plants or possibly other common ornamentals. Vector control professionals should be aware of potential in-home infestations and public health concerns associated with mosquito breeding and plant tissue feeding on ornamental plants.

Selection of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR in Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

BackgroundThe Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is one of the most important forestry resources and plays essential ecological roles in southern China. A draft nuclear genome sequence is expected to be publicly available in the near future; an explosion of gene expression data related to the unique traits of Moso bamboo will undoubtedly follow. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR ((RT-)qPCR) is a widely used method for gene expression analysis. A necessary prerequisite of exact and reliable data is the accurate choice of reference genes.ResultIn this study, 14 candidate reference genes were chosen, and their expression levels were assessed by (RT-)qPCR in a set of six tissue samples (root, stem, mature stem, leaf, flower, and leaf sheath) and at two developmental stages (before and after flowering) in bamboo specimens obtained in three locations. The stability and suitability of the candidate reference genes were validated using the geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper programs. The results showed that TIP41 and NTB were suitable reference genes across all the tissues and at the different developmental stages examined in this study. While the expression of the NTB, TIP41 and UBQ were the mostly stable in different plant tissues samples, the expression of the TIP41, NTB and CAC were ranked the most stable in bamboo plants at various developmental stages. AP2-like gene was further assessed by using the reference genes TIP41 and NTB in comparison to ACT. Significant difference of the expression profile of AP2-like demonstrated the importance of choosing adequate reference genes in bamboo.Conclusion TIP41 and NTB were found to be homogeneously expressed and were adequate for normalization purposes, showing equivalent transcript levels in different samples. They are therefore the recommended reference genes for measuring gene expression in P. edulis.