Characterization of the developmental dynamics of the elongation of a bamboo internode during the fast growth stage

Abstract

Previous studies on the fast growth of bamboo shoots mainly focused on the entire culm. No work about the fast elongation of a single internode, which is the basic unit for the fast growth of bamboo shoots, has been reported so far according to our knowledge. In this study, we have systematically investigated the regulating mechanisms underlying the fast growth of a single bamboo internode of Bambusa multiplex (Lour.) Raeusch. ex Schult. We discovered that the growth of the internode displays a logistic pattern, and the two sections located in the bottom of the internode, one for cell division and, another for cell elongation, each with an ~1-cm length, comprise the effective zones for the internode growth. RNA-Seq analysis identified a number of genes potentially involved in regulating the fast growth of bamboo internode such as those that have positive roles in promoting cell growth or division, which were dramatically down-regulated in the internode at fast growth decreasing stage. Further analysis revealed that sugar plays an important role in promoting the fast growth of bamboo internodes through inhibition of BmSnf1. Mechanical stress is found to be involved in the triggering of the internode growth decrease through activation of the generation of reactive oxygen species by upregulating Calmodulins. These results provide systematic insight into the biological mechanisms underlying the fast growth of bamboo shoots based on the behavior of a single internode.

Physiological Mechanism of Internode Bending Growth After the Excision of Shoot Sheath in Fargesia yunnanensis and Its Implications for Understanding the Rapid Growth of Bamboos

“…The cell expansion was mainly caused by the accumulation of soluble sugars and water influx. Wei et al (2019) reported that sugar plays an important role in promoting bamboo internode elongation. A similar conclusion was also reported by Wang et al (2020), stating that the starch-and sucrose-metabolizing enzymes correlated well with the bamboo internode elongation.…”

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the PheE2F/DP gene family in Moso bamboo

“…Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) generates nearly 5 billion US dollars annually in economic value. It is the most important non-timber product used for commercial purposes in East Asia due to its fast growth rate [1,2]. During Moso bamboo shoot growth, the height increase was created by simultaneous cell division and cell elongation.…”

Genetics and genomics of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Current status, future challenges, and biotechnological opportunities toward a sustainable bamboo industry

“…It lives for about 60 or more years and is widely adapted and amenable to different cultivation systems from agroforestry and monoculture gardens. Being one of the fastest‐growing bamboos (Wei et al., 2018), moso bamboo has a unique rhizome‐dependent proliferation system (Li, Li, Lu, & Chen, 2019; Tao, Fu, & Zhou, 2018; Wei et al., 2019) that runs radially from the mother plant. The rhizomes are thick and segmented and remain underground at shallow depths of about 50 cm.…”