Seed germination and seedling growth in the arrow bamboo Fargesia qinlingensis

Abstract

Improving natural regeneration of bamboos after they die following mass flowering is critical for conservation of giant pandas. However, little is known about factors that affect seed germination and seedling growth of bamboos. We studied seed germination and seedling growth in Fargesia qinlingensis, which mass flowered in a giant panda habitat in the Qinling Mountains of China in early 2000, in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Seed germination rate was tested under light and dark conditions 5 and 12 months after seed collection. Germination rate displayed no significant difference under light or dark conditions 5 months after seed collection, but was significantly greater in the dark than under light 12 months after seed collection, suggesting light inhibition of seed germination. A 2·2 factorial design was conducted to test the effects of nitrogen (N fertilization and non-N fertilization) and light [full sun and shade (i.e., 14% full sun)] on seedling growth and biomass allocation. N fertilization significantly increased seedling growth, resulting in greater seedling height, more branches, more leaves, greater stem biomass, and greater leaf biomass. Seedlings under 14% full sun conditions had a significantly lower percentage of biomass allocated to the stem. The root/shoot ratio was significantly greater in non-N/shade than non-N/full sun, while there was no significant difference in this ratio between N/shade and N/full sun, suggesting that nitrogen fertilization compensated for the effect of shade on biomass allocation. Our results suggest that N fertilization could be employed in restoration of F. qinlingensis stands after die-off following mass flowering.

Identification and Characterization of the PEBP Family Genes in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla)

“…Although in large bamboo plantations the clonal propagation is more impactful than the sexual reproduction due to limitation of seeds harvest, preservation and low germination rate, it is a high cost and low efficiency propagation way for bamboo plantations since the requirement of adequate reserves of bamboo tissue, destruction of bamboo forestry and lack of convenient transportation 6 . Furthermore, seed dormancy and seed germination have also a considerable impact on the reproduction of moso bamboo forests, because seeds often germinate poorly and slowly which can take up to months or even years 7,8 . Across all three major evolutionary lineages the phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) gene family plays a pivotal role in a variety of biological processes including the regulation of floral transition and seed germination 9–12 .…”

Factors influencing the natural regeneration of arrow bamboo in giant panda habitat of the north Minshan Mountains, southwestern China

“…The rate and quality of natural regeneration of these bamboo species following a die-off determines the length of the food shortage crisis for the pandas. Improving the rate and quality of natural regeneration of bamboo species after a mass die-off is critical for the conservation of giant pandas and their habitat [4].…”

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Dendrocalumus brandisii in vitro, and the Inhibitory Mechanism of Colchicine

“…Starch is the major reserve material present in the endosperm (Brar et al, 2013 ). Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process in plants that constantly supply energy for living cells, in which AGPase, SSS, and GBSS are related to starch synthesis, while α- and β-amylase and STP are related to starch degradation in plants (Wang et al, 2006 ). α- and β-amylase are the two main enzymes responsible for starch degradation during seed germination (Taiz and Zeiger, 2002 ).…”