Bamboo Flowering Research Articles

Genome-Wide Identification and Role of the bHLH Gene Family in Dendrocalamus latiflorus Flowering Regulation.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene family is a crucial regulator in plants, orchestrating various developmental processes, particularly flower formation, and mediating responses to hormonal signals. The molecular mechanism of bamboo flowering regulation remains unresolved, limiting bamboo breeding efforts. In this study, we identified 309 bHLH genes and divided them into 23 subfamilies. Structural analysis revealed that proteins in specific DlbHLH subfamilies are highly conserved. Collinearity analysis indicates that the amplification of the DlbHLH gene family primarily occurs through segmental duplications. The structural diversity of these duplicated genes may account for their functional variability. Many DlbHLHs are expressed during flower development, indicating the bHLH gene's significant role in this process. In the promoter region of DlbHLHs, different homeopathic elements involved in light response and hormone response co-exist, indicating that DlbHLHs are related to the regulation of the flower development of D. latiflorus.

Henon bamboo flowering recorded first time in 120 years revealed how <i>Aciculosporium take</i> affects the floral organs of the host

Henon bamboo flowering recorded first time in 120 years revealed how <i>Aciculosporium take</i> affects the floral organs of the host

MIZORAM FOREST AFTER INDIAS INDEPENDENCE: BAMBOO, WILD-LIFE AND LAND USE

Mizoram has abundant natural bamboo resources and nearly one third of its geographical area is under bamboo cover. Bamboo is extensively use as material for construction of houses, cutlery, waving, handicrafts, support for climbers, food, etc. Bamboo resource management and utilization has never been given a serious thought. Harvesting bamboo for local consumption had been negligible as compared to the huge stock available in the state. The introduction of Mahal system has generated income for the forest department. Gregarious bamboo flowering historically has significant ecological, socio- economic and political impact. Being an ecological hotspot, Mizoram is home to a great variety of wildlife species. Systematic survey on flora and fauna is yet to be undertaken. Wildlife conservation in is an important mandate of the Forest department. Apart from awareness campaign, protected areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries have been notified. The practice of jhuming has gradually deteriorated tree and bamboo forests. Forest plays an important role in protection and conservation of soil and water which are the two important resources on which growth and productivity depends. It also provides the needs of the local population who are depending on forests for fuel, fodder, building materials, fruits, vegetables,etc. As forest plays vital roles in environmental stability and ecological balance, the socio- economic life of the people of the state revolves around the forest.

Reduced CHH methylation levels reveal a critical role of aging pathway genes in Moso bamboo flowering

Moso bamboo holds significant economic importance in China, serving various purposes, such as food, material, ornamentation, and greenery. Despite its versatility, the occurrence of flowering in Moso bamboo poses a threat to bamboo forests, resulting in substantial losses. The underlying cause of bamboo flowering remains elusive. Dynamic fluctuations in DNA methylation govern the transcriptional levels of crucial genes pivotal for plant growth and development. In this study, we conducted comprehensive DNA methylation (by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing) and transcriptome (by RNA-seq) analyses on non-flowering leaves, flowering leaves, and spikelets of Moso bamboo. Our findings revealed a notable reduction in the overall DNA methylation level, particularly CHH methylation, from leaves to spikelets, influencing the expression of differentially regulated genes. Notably, we identified DNA methylation as a regulatory mechanism for numerous flowering-related genes, including SPLs, FT, and SOC1. Specifically, the SPL3f gene, a key regulator of the aging pathway, exhibited hypomethylation and a high expression level in spikelets. Conversely, SOC1c displayed transcriptional silencing attributed to hypermethylation in the CHH context in the leaves of non-flowering plants. DNA methylation may affect the flowering mechanism of Moso bamboo by regulating the expression of key genes. In summary, our results shed light on the dynamic changes in DNA methylation between leaves and spikelets, unraveling an important epigenetic modification mechanism for flowering in Moso bamboo.

The CONSTANS-LIKE gene PeCOL13 regulates flowering through intron-retained alternative splicing in Phyllostachys edulis

Woody bamboo exhibits a unique flowering characteristic with a lengthy flowering cycle, often followed by death. In many plant species, alternative splicing (AS) is a common phenomenon involved in controlling flowering. In this study, a PeCOL13 gene in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) was characterized. It produced two isoforms: PeCOL13α and PeCOL13β, due to an intron-retained AS. The PeCOL13α expressed in the vegetative phase and the reproductive phase, but the PeCOL13β didn't express during the vegetative phase and showed only a weak expression from F1 to F3 during the reproductive phase. Overexpression of PeCOL13α in rice (Oryza sativa) resulted in a delayed heading time through inhibiting the expressions of Hd3a, OsFTL1, and Ehd1 and activating the expressions of Ghd7 and RCN1. However, the PeCOL13β-overexpressed rice didn't show any significant differences in flowering compared with wild-type (WT), and the expressions of downstream flowering genes had no notable changes. Further analysis revealed that both PeCOL13α and PeCOL13β can bind to the PeFT promoter. Meanwhile, PeCOL13α can inhibit the transcription of PeFT, but PeCOL13β showed no effect. When PeCOL13α and PeCOL13β coexist, the inhibitory effect of PeCOL13α on PeFT transcription was weakened by PeCOL13β. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of bamboo flowering research.

Utilization of Biomass Waste at Water Treatment

This work presents some preliminary results on the direct use of untreated biomass from agricultural activities as adsorbents for water treatment. Waste was also used to produce activated carbons (ACs) by chemical activation with KOH. The efficacy of agricultural waste such as stubble, sawdust from Teak (Tectona Grandis), fibers from Imbondeiro (Adansonia digitata L.), bamboo flowers, and other regional plants were tested on methylene blue (MB) removal from the aqueous phase. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch system and the influence of kinetics, pH, and temperature was evaluated. The adsorption performance of the natural adsorbents was significantly high concerning MB. In particular, Imbondeiro presented a maximum removal capacity of 188.3 mg per gram. This amount was similar to or even higher than the values obtained on ACs produced by their predecessors at 873 K. The studies were finished by constructing slow filters containing natural adsorbents or ACs. The maximum amounts of MB removed on a continuous flux were lower than those obtained for a diversity of untreated biomass types on a batch system. However, these amounts were comparable to the published results obtained on a diversity of untreated biomasses in batch mode.

Contrasting patterns of genetic structure and population demography in two Dicraeus species feeding on bamboo flowers in Japan

Abstract Population outbreaks of insects provide an excellent opportunity to elucidate their evolutionary history. In this study, we uncovered the phylogenetic relationships of Dicraeus spp. in Japan and compared the population genetic structure of two bamboo-feeding Dicraeus spp., Dicraeus phyllostachyus and Dicraeus nartshukae, by leveraging a recent nationwide mass flowering event of several bamboo species in Japan. We performed analysis using mitochondrial COI gene sequencing and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms detected by multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq). We found genetic similarity in COI haplotypes over a large geographical range in the two Dicraeus spp., but, for both species, no concordance was detected between the collected host plants and genetic structures. In the genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism data, no clear genetic clusters were detected for D. phyllostachyus populations, whereas D. nartshukae populations were divided into two groups, in the north and south of Japan. Demographic analysis indicated that D. phyllostachyus had greatly expanded its population recently compared with D. nartshukae. These contrasting patterns between the two species might reflect the differences in the demographic history between the species. Our study suggested that the mass flowering event might cascade to the genetic structure of the florivorous insects through trophic interactions.

Mass flowering of farmers’ semelparous bamboo (Arundinaria alpina K. Schum.) in Seka-Chekorsa district, Western Ethiopia: its impacts and implications for management

ABSTRACT Highland bamboo (Arundinaria alpina, synonym Yushania alpina) is a characteristic and dominant semelparous species in the Afromontane vegetation of Ethiopia. It is utilized for numerous applications. Mass flowering of the species seems to be associated to conversion to other land uses. Objectives of the study were to document a mass flowering event, determine fruiting characteristics, understand the perception of communities, and assess its consequences in Seka-Chekorsa district, western Ethiopia. Focus group discussions and GIS-based assessment were conducted in 13 Peasant Associations (PAs). Our results show that highland bamboo flowering is gregarious and time to seed maturity takes about a year. The extent of mass flowering in each PA ranged from 41-88% of the the bamboo forest. Majority of the respondents (43%) perceived that the bamboo flowering event occurred because of God’s wrath, 38% related it to the age of the bamboo plants, and 19% attributed the event to a disease, indicating low awareness regarding the reproduction of the species. Perceived impacts of the mass flowering event were an increased soil erosion, changes in microclimate, reduction in water flow, and negative consequences on farmers’ economy. Farmers urgently need training on the management of the species at its reproductive stage.

Influence of flowering on the anatomical structure, chemical components and carbohydrate metabolism of Bambusa tuldoides culms at different ages.

Bamboo forests, which have come to occupy large areas in recent years, naturally undergo the process of blooming. However, bamboo culms and rhizomes degenerate after the plants bloom, resulting in widespread loss of raw materials. Systematic research on the properties and physiology of bamboo culms after flowering is lacking, and whether flowering bamboo culms could be used as raw materials in industry is unclear. In this paper, we compared and measured the fiber morphology, chemical components, and sugar metabolism indexes of non-flowering and flowering Bambusa tuldoides culms at different ages. The results showed that the fibers in the middle internodes of both non-flowering and flowering B. tuldoides culms had the longest length. The fibers completed their elongation within 1 year, but the fiber walls were continually deposited with age. The levels of the chemical components in the nonflowering culms also continually increased with age. The nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content and sugar metabolism indexes showed the highest levels in the 2-year culms and then declined in the 3-year culms. Compared to young culms that had not yet flowered, the 3-month-old and 1-year-old flowering culms had a significant decrease in the fiber length and tangential diameter, and their holocellulose and lignin levels also decreased, while the levels of ash, SiO2, 1% NaOH extractives, and benzene-ethanol extractives increased. A correlation analysis showed that sugar catabolism was accelerated in the flowering cluster, which could lead to "starvation death" in bamboo and which had a significant negative impact on the anatomical and chemical properties of the bamboo culms. Generally, the flowering bamboo culms had shorter fibers, higher levels of extractives and ash, and lower holocellulose content, which indicated that bamboo flowering has an adverse effect on the application of such components in the production of pulp, in papermaking, and in other processing and utilization activities. This study revealed the physiological changes in flowering B. tuldoides culms and provided a theoretical basis to inform the utilization of culms in this species.

Unraveling the mysterious flowering cycles of Mexican Guadua species: A captivating natural phenomenon

The flowering of woody bamboos has remained an enduring mystery over time. Woody bamboos can persist in a vegetative state for up to 150 years. Among these intriguing flowering bamboos are the Guadua species. Guadua, a Neotropical genus of woody bamboos, is native to the Americas and comprises 34 species. In Mexico, there are seven native species, and their flowering cycles continue to puzzle researchers. These species are primarily found in the southeastern part of the country, often along rivers and bodies of water. Presently, many of these species face threats from cattle grazing and agricultural activities, including sugarcane production. To unravel the mystery of Guadua species flowering, we conducted a thorough review of Mexico's primary herbaria and online records, complete with digital images. Through our investigation, we have identified a total of 69 flowering events spanning over a century of history for six out of the seven Guadua species in Mexico. Mexican Guadua species exhibit sporadic flowering patterns, with one species, Guadua paniculata, displaying gregarious mass flowering. Furthermore, four of the six species flower at intervals of 30–34 years. Understanding the reproductive biology of Guadua is of paramount importance for the long-term preservation of these species. Our research sheds light on one of nature's deepest secrets and underscores the critical significance of their conservation.

Microbial–Plant Collaborative Remediation of Cd-Contaminated Wastewater and Soil in the Surrounding Area of Nuclear Power Plants and Risk Assessment

The continuous development of China’s nuclear industry has caused an increasingly serious problem of heavy metal pollution in the ecological environment. A survey of the current situation shows that the quality of China’s groundwater bodies and their surrounding ecological environment has been severely affected. China has started to devote more attention to the issue of nuclear emissions and pollution. In view of this, this study takes an area contaminated by nuclear power plant emissions as the object of research and uses plant–microbe synergy to remediate the cadmium-contaminated environment. Cadmium-tolerant strains were isolated from the soil and identified as Serratia marcescens. The morphological characteristics of the cadmium-tolerant strains were observed with electron microscopy in the presence or absence of cadmium ions. The removal of Cd2+ from wastewater was analyzed in four experimental groups: Cd2+ removal from Cd2+-contaminated wastewater by combining a Cd-tolerant strain with Cd-flower, Cd-tolerant strain with Cd-flower, Cd-flower with alkali treatment, and Cd-tolerant strain with alkali treatment. This study innovatively treated Cd ion concentrations of 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 300 mg/L. The results showed that the cadmium-tolerant strains were more densely concentrated in the treated Phyllostachys than in the untreated condition. This indicates that the Cd-tolerant strains were effectively enhanced by the alkali treatment of Phyllostachys spp. and that the adsorption of Cd ions to the Cd-tolerant strains was improved. In the presence of Cd2+ flowers only, the best removal of Cd2+ was achieved at a concentration of 50 mg/L, with a removal rate of 74.10%; the addition of Cd-tolerant strains resulted in a removal rate of 91.21%. When the alkali treatment was applied to the flat bamboo flowers, the removal rate was 84.36% when the concentration of Cd2+ was 100 mg/L. Then, when the cadmium-tolerant strain was added to the treated flat bamboo flower group, the maximum removal rate was 89.74% when the concentration of Cd2+ was 100 mg/L. The cadmium ion content of Cd2+ increased positively with increasing experimental time. In addition, the quasi-secondary correlation coefficients for cadmium ions in Lobelia were all greater than 0.9905, indicating that the adsorption kinetics were significantly correlated with the quasi-secondary kinetics. The analysis of heavy metal enrichment in Lobelia was divided into four groups, with Lobelia showing the best tolerance and cadmium adsorption capacity at a cadmium concentration of 20 mg/L. The results of super-enrichment coefficients showed that the enrichment coefficients of Lobelia ranged from 1.03 to 1.97, with values greater than 1. All these results indicate that the combination of cadmium-tolerant strains and plants can effectively remediate nuclear-contaminated soil and wastewater, thus improving soil availability and water regeneration, and improving the human living environment.

Reports of flowering in bamboo species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Flowering in bamboo is significant on its own. It may flower after a long interval of many years and cause major ecological changes or may be found in sporadic flowering at irregular intervals. Records of flowering in bamboo species is of high significance with respect to scientific study, ecological changes, social and economic aftereffects. Three major species Gigantochloa andamanica (Kurz) Kurz, Schizostachyum kurzii (Munro) R.B. Majumdar and Schizostachyum andamanicum M.Kumar & Remesh from different localities of the Andaman Islands and one dominant climber species, Dinochloa nicobariana R.B. Majumdar, from Nicobar Islands have been recorded in gregarious and sporadic flowering during 2013-2019. This paper presents the current nomenclature, types, vernacular names, detail taxonomic description, flowering records, habitat & ecology, distribution and specimens examined for each species. Also, a map showing the distribution of species and saplings planted in natural habitats for in-situ conservation is provided.

PRESERVING THE TRADITION OF KASAB CRAFT IN NAGAN RAYA DISTRICT

Kasab or kasab cloth, is a traditional textile embroidered with various types of local motifs in Keude Blang Village, Seunagan Timur District, Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh. However, the cultural richness of this society has never been scientifically researched. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find out the types of motifs and the preservation of objects by the community and local government in that area. This is qualitative research, data collection involved observation, interviewing, and documentation. The results showed that kasab is one of the traditions for embroidering motifs on traditional textile surfaces. The use of gold thread in the components of traditional ceremonies not only provides aesthetic value, but also complements the meaning conveyed through symbols as a medium of public communication. The kasab motifs that are always embroidered in the Keude Blang Ara Village community include the bungong uret, bungong meulu, bungong pucuk pakis, and pucuk rembong (bamboo flower) motifs. Kasab preservation in Keude Blang Ara Village continues to be carried out by the local community and supported by the government. Preserving local culture (kasab) involves creating dynamic expressions and adapting to changing developmental situations to preserve cultural, artistic, and traditional qualities. However, with the support of the government, kasab has become something interesting, so that nowadays the demand for producing kasab is increasing.

Muerte por reproducción sexual: El caso (sin resolver) de la floración de los bambúes

Bamboos belong to the grass family (or Poaceae). There are 1698 bamboo species distributed around the world in tropical, subtropical and temperate jungles and forests. In our country, there are five native genera that comprise 23 species. The least known characteristic of the woody bamboos is their flowering phenology. Four main types of flowering patterns have been described. However, the most interesting are those bamboo species that show a massive and cyclical flowering pattern, after a long period of vegetative growth. Such mass flowering events occur at roughly regular intervals and are followed by the death of the flowering individuals. The goal of this review is to provide an informative sample of the current knowledge of bamboo flowering, with an emphasis on the species native to Argentina. Currently, the approximate duration of the life cycle of most woody bamboo species in our country is known, based on a review of the collections of the most important national and international herbaria and an extensive bibliographic search. In most species, the average life cycles are multiples of 15-16years, with a 30-year cycle being the most common. The main hypotheses about the evolutionary forces that led bamboos to flower, seed and die synchronously are described. Likewise, environmental, genetic factors and the combination of both proposed as possible ‘causes’ of this atypical flowering pattern of bamboos are discussed. Finally, environmental and social consequences of this phenomenon are listed.

Genome-Wide Identification of MIKCc-Type MADS-Box Family Gene and Floral Organ Transcriptome Characterization in Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro).

Most bamboos die after flowering, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for flowering is poorly understood. The MIKCc-type MADS-box family gene is involved in the flowering process. To explore the mechanism of the MIKCc-type MADS-box gene and phytohormone regulation in the flowering of Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro (D. latiflorus), characterized by extremely rapid growth and widely cultivated woody bamboo, we initially did a genome-wide analysis of the MIKCc-type MADS-box gene in D. latiflorus. In the meantime, transcriptome analysis was performed using the floral organs. A total of 170 MIKCc-Type MADS-Box genes were identified and divided into 15 categories. The cis-acting element analysis in promoters regions revealed that MIKC-type MADS-box family genes were associated with hormones, including auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA), which was found at 79, 476, 96, 486 sites and cover 61, 103, 73, 128 genes. Genome synteny analysis showed subgenome AA and BB were better than CC and obtained 49, 40, 39 synteny genes compared with Oryza sativa (O. sativa). In transcriptome analysis of floral organs, the enriched pathway from DEGs included circadian, vernalization and gibberellin pathways associated with the flowering process. We found that the jasmonic acid synthesis gene is highly expressed in the pistil, which may be the cause of Ma bamboo pollen abortion. The expression profile showed that most MIKC-type MADS-box genes exhibited high expression in flower organs. The consequences of this study will provide insight into the irregular flowering and low pollen counts of Ma bamboo.

Culm dynamics of dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis Makino & Shibata) in relation to forest canopy conditions in beech forests

The dynamics of understorey dwarf bamboos are an important factor in forest dynamics. Although there have been a number of recent reports about the regeneration process after the simultaneous flowering and death of bamboos, the long-term dynamics of dwarf bamboos on the forest floor and outside the regeneration process (i.e., non-flowering state) are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term changes in Sasa kurilensis Makino & Shibata (Poaceae, Bambusoidae) populations in relation to the forest canopy and environmental conditions in the primeval beech forests of Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Area, Japan. Ten permanent plots (2 × 5 m) were established at three study sites (1 ha) in beech forests. Each site differed in forest structure. All S. kurilensis culms were censused from 2001 to 2019. The estimated maximum longevity of culms indicated that S. kurilensis culms can survive up to approximately 7000 days, nearly 20 years. The culm density and above-ground biomass varied widely amongst the study plots, and abrupt changes were observed in some plots affected by changes in the forest canopy conditions, such as gap formation. The relationship between canopy closure and culm density in 2001 showed an inverse proportional trend that weakened in 2019, indicating that S. kurilensis developed its population under closed canopies (dark conditions). More attention should be paid to such wide variations and unstable changes in understorey bamboo populations if the dynamics of these forests are to be better understood.

Disasters Ineligible for Disaster Risk Funding: A Political–Economic Discourse Between States and the Center for Inclusion of Region-specific Disasters

Disaster risk funding is a well-established mechanism in India. It includes funds such as the National Disaster and Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), the State Disaster and Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), etc. These funds provide funding for listed disasters only, such as floods, droughts, landslides, and so on. However, states find this list very limited in its scope as many state/region-specific disasters are not covered in it. Hence, there are constant demands from the states to revise this list by including state-specific disasters such as snakebites, lightning, sea and riverbank erosion, bamboo flowering, and the like. However, these demands are rejected by the Finance Commission, a nodal agency of the central government for disaster risk funding, on many accounts. The present article analyzes the rationale for states’ demands to add certain region-specific disasters to the eligible list of disasters for funding and the Finance Commission’s response to them. The article utilizes primary sources such as Finance Commission reports and government orders, recommendations, and reports of the Ministry of Home Affairs and related agencies. It is supplanted with secondary sources as well.

Ectopic expression of a bamboo SVP-like gene alters flowering time and floral organs in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Short Vegetative Phase (SVP) gene is a key regulator for floral transition and development. Although SVP-like genes have been identified and characterized in many plant species, their orthologs in bamboo have not been characterized. In this study, one SVP homolog was isolated from lei bamboo based on the P. edulis transcriptome database and designated as PvSVP2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PvSVP2 was closely related to rice OsMADS47. Expression analysis revealed that PvSVP2 was widely expressed in different tissues but significantly in vegetative tissues. Moreover, it has higher transcript levels in the late stages of flower development. Overexpression of PvSVP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused the early flowering and abnormal floral morphologies. Further, the qRT-PCR analysis showed that the genes regulating flowering time (FT and SOC1) and flower development (AP1, AP3 and PI) expressions significantly increased in transgenic A. thaliana lines and correlated with PvSVP2 expression. The subcellular location of PvSVP2 in both onion epidermal cells and A. thaliana protoplast was localized in the nucleus and cytomembrane. Through yeast two-hybrid and BIFC assays, we identified that PvSVP2 interacts with PvMADS56 (a SOC1 homolog) and PvVRN1 (an AP1 homolog). These results suggested that PvSVP2 may play an essential role in the flowering process of bamboo by regulating the PvMADS56 and PvVRN1. Besides, we purified and obtained the PvSVP2 recombinant protein by prokaryotic inducement. Our data will provide information to understand the characterization and function of PvSVP2 and be beneficial to illustration the molecular mechanism of bamboo flowering.

Bamboo Pleioblastus chino var. hisauchii characteristics before and after flowering

Pleioblastus chino var. hisauchii is an important ornamental bamboo species that rarely flowers. Studies on the change in its material properties before and after flowering were lacking. In this paper, the anatomical, chemical, and mechanical properties of bamboo culms before and after flowering were studied by using the method of bio-wood science. The results showed that after flowering, the morphology and proportion of the fiber, vessel and vascular bundle decreased, and the openings of pits in the vessel wall were enlarged significantly; the contents of the main components such as extractives, lignin, holocellulose, cellulose and pentosan rose, while the ash content dropped. There was a decrease in density and modulus of rupture, and a pronounced fall in modulus of elasticity, while the microfibril angle and crystallinity increased. In general, the strength of bamboo flowering culms decreased and the ability to transport nutrients increased, which were closely related to the changes in internal structure and properties. This meant that bamboo flowering may be monitored or predicted by significant changes in some properties (such as pits and modulus of elasticity) and provide a reference for further research on the mechanism of flowering senescence and delayed flowering in bamboo.

A comprehensive analysis of the floral transition in ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) reveals the roles of DlFTs involved in flowering.

Bamboo has a unique flowering characteristics of long and unpredictable vegetative period, which differs from annual herbs and perennial woody plants. In order to understand the molecular regulatory mechanism of bamboo flowering, a comprehensive study was conducted in ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro), including morphological, physiological and transcriptiome analyses. Differentially expressed genes related to the flowering pathway were identified by comparative transcriptome analysis. DlFT1, a homologous gene of FT/Hd3a, was significantly upregulated in flowering bamboo. Direct differentiation of spikelets from calli occurred and the downstream gene AP1 was upregulated in the transgenic bamboo overexpressing DlFT1. Transgenic rice overexpressing DlFT1 showed a strong early flowering phenotype. DlFT1 and DlTFL1 could interact with DlFD, and DlTFL1 delayed flowering. It is presumed that DlTFL1 plays an antagonistic role with DlFT1 in ma bamboo. In addition, the expression of DlFT1 was regulated by DlCO1, indicating that a CO-FT regulatory module might exist in ma bamboo. These results suggest that DlFT1 is a florigen candidate gene with conservative function in promoting flowering. Interestingly, the results have shown for the first time that DlFT2 can specifically interact with E3 ubiquitin ligase WAV3, while DlFT3 transcripts are mainly nonsense splicing. These findings provide better understanding of the roles of the florigen gene in bamboo and lay a theoretical basis for regulating bamboo flowering in the future.