Bamboo Plants Research Articles

Ethylene biosynthetic genes in ‘Moso’ bamboo shoot in response to wounding

Bamboo shoots are immature, expanding culms that emerge from nodes of the rhizome of bamboo ( Phyllostachys edulis) plants. The edible part consists of meristematic tissues with regions of rapid cell division and differentiation, which is enveloped in protective, non-edible leaf sheaths. However, unlike other perishable vegetables harvested bamboo shoots produce a large amount of ethylene in response to wounding. To investigate ethylene induction mechanisms in wounded bamboo shoots, we cloned cDNAs encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (pBA-ACS) and ACC oxidase (pBA-ACO) genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, and we analyzed their expression in wounded tissue after harvest. Ethylene production was induced within 8 h of wounding accompanied by increased enzyme activity and increased mRNA accumulation of pBA-ACS and pBA-ACO. On the other hand, treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene, an inhibitor of ethylene action, suppressed ethylene production and ethylene biosynthesis-related gene expression.

Dyella koreensis sp. nov., a β-glucosidase-producing bacterium

A bacterial strain (designated BB4(T)), which has beta-glucosidase activity, was isolated from soil around the roots of bamboo plants. Cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile and straight-rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a clear affiliation with members of the family 'Xanthomonadaceae'. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain BB4(T) showed the following sequence similarities: 97.7% to Dyella japonica XD53(T), 97.1% to Frateuria aurantia LMG 1558(T), 96.2% to Fulvimonas soli LMG 19981(T), 94.3% to Rhodanobacter lindaniclasticus RP5575(T) and <90% to other members of the 'Gammaproteobacteria'. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.8 mol%. The major fatty acids were branched forms, especially large proportions of iso-C(15:0), iso-C(17:0) and iso-C(17:1)omega9c, similar to the profile of the genus Dyella. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization with D. japonica XD53(T) and Frateuria aurantia LMG 1558(T), in combination with phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, demonstrated that strain BB4(T) should be classified as a novel Dyella species. The name Dyella koreensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain BB4(T) (=KCTC 12359(T)=NBRC 100831(T)) as the type strain.

Plant Diversity Evaluation in Shirkai sacred grove, Pune district, Maharashtra

Shirkai sacred grove, one of the 31 sacred groves from Panshet dam catchment area, was studied with qualitative and quantitative approach. Quantitative evaluation of plant diversity in sacred groves is found to be an important aspect for in situ conservation programme. In the present study, 116 species from 54 families were collected in the post monsoon season. Wild germplasm of bamboo and rare endangered plants are special features of Shirkai. The vegetation is found to be diverse and evenly distributed with Shannon’s diversity index (1.67) and modified Hills ratio (6.45).

Production of activated carbon from bamboo scaffolding waste—process design, evaluation and sensitivity analysis

A feasibility study has been carried out on the preliminary process design of the production of activated carbon from the bamboo scaffolding waste based on 30 tonnes of bamboo waste per day throughput. A comparison of the process economics of the stand-alone bamboo carbonization plant with a plant that is integrated into another major processing facility has been studied. The preliminary process design was based on various literature sources and an economic evaluation, in which the total capital investment (TCI), the production cost, the return on investment (ROI), the cash flow and the internal rate of return (IRR) of the stand-alone plant and integrated plant were estimated. The TCI of the stand-alone plant and integrated plant are HK$ 7,430,000 and HK$ 6,430,000, respectively. Net present values of two plants at various discount factors have been determined and the IRR have been estimated as 13.0 and 20.1% for the stand-alone plant and integrated plant, respectively. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the cash flow of the project would be increased or decreased up to 40, 65 and 120% by varying production factors of cost of chemical activation agent, production capacity and selling price of activated carbon, respectively, in the extent of ±25%.

The Life and Gender of Bamboo Objects in Sunuwar Culture, East Nepal

Among the Sunuwar, a tribal group of East Nepal, bamboo is omnipresent both as wild and cultivated plant as well as in material culture. The article tries to show that many aspects of human and social life, including gender, are potentially inscribed in the bamboo plant and are realised in bamboo objects. Culturally vitalised bamboo objects are the ideal medium for intercourse with ancestors, a practice essential for Sunuwar people to stabilise, restore and improve identity and conformity, prestige and authority as well as physical well-being. An important premise for the interpretation of bamboo objects as living is that the Sunuwar economy is mainly a gift economy. To understand how gender can be attributed to bamboo objects, the author assumes the existence of a third gender often ascribed to shamans and saints.

Effects of Soil Gas Composition on Transpiration and Leaf Conductance of Bamboos

The growth rate of bamboo plants is considered to be higher than other tree species and thus bamboo is a promising plant for afforestation if the plantation forests can be well managed. Recently bamboo plants have invaded mountainous areas and expelled indigenous plant species in Japan. Therefore we need to develop methods for regulating the growth of bamboos. We examined the effects of soil gas composition on transpiration and leaf conductance of bamboos in order to obtain the basic data for establishing a method for controlling the environment in the root zone. The experiments were conducted with Phyllostachys pubescens in a bamboo forest and with Phyllostachys aurea grown in pots in a growth chamber. Transpiration rates of leaves and leaf conductance were measured with a porometer after the treatment suppressing soil aeration by covering the soil surface in the forest and the pots with plastic film. Concentrations of O2 and CO2 in the soil were measured with O2 and CO2 sensors, respectively. The O2 concentration in the soil decreased from 21% to 19% and the CO2 concentration increased from 0.05% to 2.0% two days after the treatment. The transpiration rate and leaf conductance decreased by 25% a day after the treatment. Therefore, the gas exchange of bamboo leaves and thus the growth of bamboo plants can be controlled by controlling soil aeration.

Callus and cell suspension culture of bamboo plant, Phyllostachys nigra

A modified 1/2MS medium supplemented with 3 µM 2,4-D was effective for callus induction from bamboo shoots of Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. Henonis. In the first phase (phase 1), some parts of the explants enlarged and gave rise to whitish-yellow calli after 2–3 weeks of culture. During maintenance subcultures, almost all explants and the initially formed calli turned brown and these calli gradually lost their proliferation capacity (phase 2). Removal of the necrotic potions of explants, and frequent subcultures at phase 2 was essential. Secondary proliferated calli were subsequently produced on the surface of brown tissues (phase 3). These calli could be maintained on both solid and liquid media. The liquid suspension cells had a blue to pale blue autofluorescence in the cell walls. These cells fluoresced strongly when stained with Calcofluor White M2R and Aniline Blue, indicating the presence of callose (β-1,3-glucan) in a cellulosic wall. Endogenous free amino acids analyses indicated that glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and alanine were the major amino acids in callus tissues whereas asparagine and tyrosine were abundant in the regenerated bamboo shoots.

Variation in social behavior within a spider mite genus, Stigmaeopsis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The spider mites belonging to the genus Stigmaeopsis construct extremely dense oval woven roofs (web-nests) over depressions on the lower surface of host leaves and are known to have a kind of sociality. The four species that occur on bamboo plants in Japan show different nest areas. The nest area of Stigmaeopsis longus is the largest, followed by that of S. celarius, S. takahashii, and S. saharai in decreasing order. Smaller nests effectively prevent adults of several predator mite species from intruding. We hypothesized that variation in nest size reflects different anti-intruder adaptations of this mite group in relation to their sociality. The larger nest makers may adopt an alternative anti-intruder strategy, namely, counterattack by a large group, so as to compensate for the disadvantage of large nests. S. longus and S. celarius adults effectively defended their large nests against potential predators, and the effects of nest defense increased with the number of individuals in a nest. S. takahashii and S. saharai revealed no counterattack effect. Counterattack abilities that increase with the adult density, and thus, sociality may compensate for the vulnerability of larger nests. Key words: cooperation, counterattack, group defense, sociality, spider mites, web-nest. [Behav Ecol]

A new species and a new record of tarsonemid mites from China (Acari: Tarsonemidae

One new record of the genus Steneotarsonemus (Parasteneotarsonemus) and one new species of the genus Dendroptus are described and illustrated. Steneotarsonemus (Parasteneotarsonemus) phyllopherus (Ewing) was collected inside the leave sheath of bamboo plants in Tongbai, Henan province. Dendroptus tricollis sp. nov. was collected in samples of bark on a tree Melia azedarach L. in Shunchang, Fujian province, China.

Effect of different bamboo ages on population parameters of Schizotetranychus bambusae Reck (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The survival and fecundity of the spider mite, Schizotetranychus bambusae Reck, on the detached leaves of the moso bamboo, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel, from 1–4yr-old bamboo plants, were evaluated in the laboratory. The age-specific and time-specific life tables of the experimental populations of S. bambusae were constructed. The relationship between the population dynamics of this mite and 1–4yr-old bamboo plants was analyzed. The results showed that the survival of immature stages was 92.00%, 88.46%, 70.81%, and 94.34% when fed on the leaves from 1, 2, 3, and 4yr-old bamboo leaves, respectively. The mean number of eggs laid per female which were reared on leaves from four kinds of bamboo leaves, were 41.4, 37.3, 14.7, and 42.8,respectively. The trend index of population (I), net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were 5.2073, 5.7719, 0.1117, 1.1182 on the 3yr-old bamboo leaves, respectively, and the population doubling time (DT) was the longest (6.2050d). However, when reared on the other three kinds of bamboo leaves (1, 2, and 4yr-old leaves), the values of the net reproductive rate (Ro) were 22.1223, 16.6168, and 18.2853, respectively. The results indicated that the 3yr-old bamboo was disadvantageous for the experimental population increase of S. bambusae.

Indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis in Aciculosporium take , a causal agent of witches' broom of bamboo

Aciculosporium take (Ascomycota; Clavicipitaceae) is a causal agent of witches' broom of bamboo plants. The symptoms of this disease are believed to be induced by plant hormones, particularly auxins. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was identified in cultures of this fungus in an l-tryptophan-supplemented liquid medium. IAA production was confirmed on 30 isolates of A. take from various hosts and locations at levels up to 1 mg/l. The biosynthetic pathway of IAA in A. take culture was examined by analyzing intermediate products and by feeding experiments. The results showed that the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway (l-tryptophan → indole-3-pyruvic acid → indole acetaldehyde → IAA) was the dominant pathway in A. take.

Heteroepichloë, gen. nov. (Clavicipitaceae; Ascomycotina) on bamboo plants in East Asia

The causal agents of witches’ broom of bamboo plants in East Asia, Epichloë bambusae and E. sasae, were morphologically and phylogenetically examined. The phylogenetic studies were conducted using ITS 1, 2, and 5.8S rDNA regions. Both Epichloë species produce Ephelis-type conidia in artificial medium and are phylogenetically situated in different clades from Epichloë and Parepichloë. Here, we propose a new genus Heteroepichloë for these two bambsicolous Epichloë species.

The bamboo-nesting carpenter bee, Xylocopa (Stenoxylocopa) artifex Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae), also nests in fibrous branches of Vellozia (Velloziaceae)

Previous nest records and unusually modified mandibles of females have led workers to suggest that large carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) in the subgenus Stenoxylocopa obligatory nest in bamboo and related plants with hollow stems. This paper reports the use of non-hollow substrate for nesting by one species in that subgenus. Nests found in the fibrous branches of Vellozia spp. (Velloziaceae) are described from two different sites. These nests are compared with those constructed in the hollow stems of bamboo that have been previously described. The data presented here do not support the hypothesis that geographical distributions of Stenoxylocopa are largely defined by the availability of hollow culms.

Studies on biomass production, partitioning and allometry of different bamboo (Bamboo spp.) plant species grown in bamboosetum in Arunachal Pradesh

The biomass production and partitioning of 30 bamboo species were evaluated at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh Center, Basar located in the humid sub-tropic. Bamboo species were planted in a bamboosetum on the hill with 25% slope at planting density of 2l8 clumps/ha. On the basis of mean annual aboveground biomass production and annual culms production, all the species were grouped into five distinct clusters at average linkage distance of 0.6. Bamboo species grouped in cluster III viz. B. bambos, B. balcooa, D. giganteus, B. cacharensis, B. pallida type I, B. nutans, B. tulda, D. sikkimensis, D. hookeri were the highest annual biomass producer (494.67 260.36 t/ha). Culms constituted more than 90% of total biomass in Arundinaria hirsuta, A. mannii, B. bambos and B. balcooa. Leaves and branches constitute 45% of the total biomass in Schizostachyum polymorphum. Biomass production in bamboo had significant (p &lt; 0.01) positive correlation with culms height (0.835), rind thickness (0.654), leaf length (0.0.659) and number of internodes/culms (0.716). Culms height, rind thickness and leaf length fitted into multiple linear regression models predicted 79% variability in the annual total biomass. Culms height, rind thickness and leaf length culms spacing explained about 90% variability in single culms weight of different species.

Study on associated nitrogen fixation of bamboo plants rhizosphere

Acetylene reduction activities of several bamboo species root have been investigated and determined. It is shown that with N 2 -backfilling method, the maximum activity of two kinds of monopodia bamboo ( Phyllostachys heterocycla va. pubescens , Phyllostachys meyeri McClure ) can reach 3.9 and 2.1 nmol C 2 H 4 g -1 dry root h -1 respectively; with the direct determining method, the maximum activities of four kinds of sympodia bamboo ( Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro , Dendrocalamopsis beecheyana (Munro) Keng f., Bambusa textilis McClure and Bambusa chungii McClure ) can reach 20.5, 24.8, 10.8, 7.5 nmol C 2 H 4 g -1 dry root h -1 respectively. When tested by enrichment culture method, for Ph. pubescens and Ph. meyeri , the maximum activities are 184 and 160 nmol C 2 H 4 g -1 fresh root h -1 ; for D. latiflorus, D. beecheyana, B. textiles and B. chungii species, the maximum activities are 978, 2743, 915, 397 nmol C 2 H 4 g -1 fresh root h -1 respectively. The number of azotobacteria of four bamboo species at different rhizosphere position has been determined. It is shown that from non-rhizosphere soil to rhizosphere soil to root surface to root region the numbers of azotobacter increase sharply, and the rhizosphere effects of azotobacter are very obvious. Identification has been done to azotobacteria isolated from Ph. pubescens and Ph. meyeri . It is shown that in Ph. pubescens rhizosphere, the azoterbacteria mainly belong to Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus licheniformis . In Ph. meyeri rhizosphere, it is Klebsiella pneumoniae . Using these strains (Nos 2, 12, 14, 7) to inoculating Ph. pubescens seedlings and D. latiflorus tissue culture plantlets, it is shown that inoculating associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria can promote the growth of the plantlets.

Microhabitats de mosquitos (Diptera, Culicidae) em internódios de taquara na Mata Atlântica, Paraná, Brasil

During two consecutive years, from January 1985 to December 1986, a comparative study of mosquitoes preferences for breeding habitat was carried out in the Atlantic Forest of the Serra do Mar, Parana State, Brazil. To achieve it, 1875 bamboo internodes aligned vertically in live green, bamboo plants Merostachys speciosa Munro and Merostachys sp. were used, in which metabolic water was exuded from the plant itself, and presenting different size/pattern holes at their lateral walls, bored by the local sylvan fauna. Another group of 1200 individual internode traps was used as comparative element, carved out with a transversal cut by a saw, filled with local stream water and held in branches at different heights in the vegetal strata nearby. At both microhabitat types, a total of 17 culicid species was registered. Culex (Microculex) neglectus Lutz, 1904, Cx. (Carrollia) soperi Antunes & Lane, 1937, Sabethes (Sabethes) batesi Lane & Cerqueira, 1942 and Sa. (Sabethinus) melanonymphe (Dyar, 1924)colonized exclusively live plant internodes, while Culex (Microculex) elongatus Rozeboom & Lane, 1950, Cx. (Carrollia) iridescens (Lutz, 1905), Cx. (Carrollia) kompi Valencia,1973and Trichoprosopon (Trichoprosopon) soaresi Dyar & Knab, 1907 bred only in internode traps. The remaining nine species colonized both habitats indistinctly. Quantitatively, was detected the abundance of 60.1% at live green internodes, against 39.9% for internode traps. Concerning the different patterns of bored live internode holes, 40.3% of the total computed specimens were collected in square or rectangular holes, 31.9% in two hole internodes, one minute circular, the other wider, and the remaining 28.8% of specimens distributed in other pattern type internodes. The mosquitoes breeding at these microhabitats fall in the culicid entomofauna specialized at locating and detecting peculiar and propitious mesogen conditions for breeding purposes.

Transport and decomposition of leaf litter as affected by aspect and understory in a temperate hardwood forest

Transport of colored papers and decomposition of leaf litter of Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudo‐sieboldianum, and Kalopanax pictus were investigated on three patches differentiated by aspect and understory in a temperate hardwood forest. Two patches are represented by dwarf bamboo (Patch SS) and herbaceous plants (Patch S), respectively, lying on a southwest‐facing slope. The other patch (Patch N) is located on a northeast‐facing slope with herbaceous plants. Colored papers were placed on the patches to understand the pattern of litter movement on the ground. Papers were more dispersed in Patch S than in the other two patches. Some of the colored papers placed in Patch S moved upward. The results suggest that the litter movement is affected by aspect and that the leaf litter is retained by dwarf bamboo in Patch SS. Decay constant of Q. mongolica was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of K. pictus and A. pseudo‐sieboldianum. Decay rates of Q. mongolica were significantly different between Patches N a...

A sensitive method for detecting bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and establishment of BaMV‐free meristem‐tip cultures

A sensitive method was used to detect bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and its associated satellite RNA (satBaMV) by 32P‐ and digoxigenin (Dig)‐labelled probes synthesized from cDNA clones of BaMV genomic (L probe) and satBaMV (S probe) RNA. Both the 32P‐ and Dig‐labelled L and S probes could detect as little as 490 pg of BaMV viral RNA by slot‐ and dot‐blot hybridization. In infected leaf extracts, 32P‐labelled L and S probes detected virus at 25‐fold higher dilutions than Dig‐labelled probes, which were also successfully used to detect BaMV infection in plants derived from meristem‐tip culture. However, immunoassays failed to detect BaMV in meristem culture. By dot‐blot hybridization assays, 25% of the seedlings were shown to be virus‐free. These results suggest that a highly sensitive method for the detection of BaMV infection is required for the establishment of BaMV‐free cultures. Meristem‐tip culture also provides an efficient method for obtaining virus‐free bamboo plants.

Takecallis arundinariae (Essig) (Aphididae, Drepanosiphinae, Phyllaphidini): first record in Brazil and comparison to Takecallis taiwanus (Takahashi)

This paper reports the first record of a bamboo aphid Takecallis arundinariae (Essig, 1917) on bamboo plants in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Specimens were also collected in yellow pan traps from June-August (fall-winter), and a few specimens from October-December (late spring-early summer). Individuals were found feeding on the underside of leaves, parallel to the veins on Dendroclamus sp. and Merostachys sp. (Bambusoideae). Individuals collected were represented mainly by alate viviparous females bearing a characteristic clypeus with an anterior tubercle. A brief diagnosis and morphometric data are presented to distinguish T. arundinariae from Takecallis taiwanus (Takahashi, 1926), another bamboo aphid recorded recently in Brazil. T. arundinariae is a medium-sized pale yellow aphid, distinguished by a series of elongate black spots on the abdominal tergites and found mainly on mature bamboo leaves. T. taiwanus is pale green and has been found on young leaves and shoots.

Group composition, home range size, and diet of three sympatric bamboo lemur species (Genus hapalemur) in Ranomafana national Park, Madagascar

This is the first long-term, simultaneous, comparative study of three bamboo lemur species (Hapalemur griseus, H. aureus, and H. simus) at a site in southeastern-central Madagascar where they occur in sympatry. At Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park, the three Hapalemur spp. share overlapping home ranges. Hapalemur griseus has flexible group sizes, varying from three to nine individuals (n = 6). The home range of Hapalemur griseus averages 15 ha (n = 2). Hapalemur aureus forms family groups of ≤4 individuals (n = 3); they have a home range on average of 26 ha (n = 2). The single group of Hapalemur simus is composed of one or three adult males, two adult females, and their offspring; they occupy a home range of 62 ha. The three species of Hapalemur are year-round bamboo specialists: >88% of their diets consist of bamboo and grass in the Family Poaceae. Contrary to earlier findings, all three Hapalemur spp. consume the cynogenic parts—young leaf bases, young pseudopetioles, and young shoots—of the giant bamboo, Cathariostachys madagascariensis. They rely heavily on this plant, which comprises 72–95% of their diets. Hapalemur griseus and H. aureus consume similar proportions of bamboo vs. nonbamboo plants, though they differ in the species of bamboo they prefer. Hapalemur simus has the most distinct diet of the three bamboo lemurs. They exploit the young shoots of Cathariostachys madagascariensis during the austral summer rainy season, between November and April. From June to November, Hapalemur simus shifts its diet to eating the mature culm pith of Cathariostachys madagascariensis; the proportion of pith represented in their diet reaches a maximum of 89% in October. Seasonal availability of food resources, feeding competition, and factors related to body size may provide clues to the understanding of diet selection among the three sympatric Hapalemur spp.