Search Results (52)

Bamboo shoot development influences subsequent culm architecture and material properties, but the biological relevance of GWAS-derived candidates remains unclear. A stepwise candidate-prioritization strategy integrated 99 previously reported property-associated candidates with large-scale moso bamboo transcriptome screening, multi-species bamboo shoot transcriptome–metabolome data, and qRT-PCR analysis. The candidates were classified into three functional layers: environmental adaptation/stress signaling, carbohydrate metabolism/carbon allocation, and cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling. A rule-based ranking that balanced candidate representation across the three functional categories retained 44 genes for transcriptomic evaluation, of which 30 showed strong or moderate expression support across 90 comparisons. Cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling genes exhibited the broadest transcriptional responses, whereas carbohydrate- and regulatory-related genes provided complementary metabolic and upstream evidence. Correlation analysis across 24 matched shoot variables and 5059 metabolites prioritized PH02Gene17228, PH02Gene00247, and PH02Gene51360, which were associated with amino acid/nitrogen metabolism, hormone/signaling-like metabolites, and organic acid/central carbon metabolism, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis independently supported their expression patterns in developing bamboo shoots. These results support a working model in which regulatory signaling, carbon allocation, and cell wall remodeling jointly contribute to bamboo property-related variation. The prioritized genes provide targets for functional validation and may inform future marker development and molecular breeding aimed at improving bamboo culm quality and material properties. Full article

China has rich bamboo resources, with Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) being the most economically important species. Bamboo shoot bud development directly determines the eating quality of the shoots and the properties of bamboo materials; however, the intrinsic biological characteristics of this process have hindered foundational research. Traditional methods using whole shoot buds or mixed tissues obscure cellular and tissue heterogeneity, limiting our mechanistic understanding. This review synthesizes cytological features, molecular networks, and technical limitations pertaining to Moso bamboo shoot bud development, identifying four key bottlenecks: tissue homogenization masking cellular heterogeneity, loss of spatial positional information impeding analysis of position effects, challenges in single-cell technology application due to sample preparation and data interpretation issues, and unresolved coupling between chromatin accessibility and transcriptional regulation. To address these, we propose a core strategy centered on constructing a single-cell resolution, spatially resolved, multi-omics integrated, and functionally validated framework. Key approaches include developing bamboo-specific single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, integrating positional information with multi-omics data to identify spatially distinct regulatory targets, standardizing technical pipelines and functional validation platforms, and elucidating epigenetic–transcriptional coupling. Overcoming these bottlenecks will reveal the molecular basis of bamboo’s unique developmental patterns and provide key targets for the genetic improvement of the shoot quality and mechanical properties of bamboo. Full article

As a critical agroforestry crop in Southern China, Moso bamboo, maintains regional timber security and bamboo shoot production, with its net ecosystem productivity (NEP) directly determining dry matter accumulation and economic yield. This study integrates 2024 continuous flux observations with XGBoost and SHAP explanations to characterize the subtropical bamboo forest carbon budget and its nonlinear driving mechanisms. The results show a weak carbon sink in 2024 with an annual cumulative NEP of 120 g C m⁻², as high respiration of 860 g C m⁻² limited organic matter conversion by consuming nearly 88% of the 980 g C m⁻² total primary production. The peak production period during May and June was offset by growth stagnation in August, caused by extreme heat and drought. Net radiation served as the primary driver, with a positive contribution threshold of 75.28 W m⁻², whereas precipitation exceeding 1.85 mm or air temperatures over 17.85 °C hindered carbon accumulation through radiation attenuation and metabolic heat loss. Strong radiation–precipitation interactions confirm that water’s impacts on yield are deeply contingent upon radiation backgrounds. These nonlinear regulatory pathways provide a scientific foundation for stabilizing bamboo forest productivity through synergistic water-radiation management and structural optimization during extreme climate events. Full article

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) harvesting is labor-intensive and inefficient, while strip-cutting enables mechanized, cost-effective management and supports long-term production. Intensive strip-cutting disturbs bamboo ecosystems, altering soil, litter and understory vegetation. This may reduce long-term productivity despite moso bamboo’s rapid growth, especially in the mountainous areas like Anji, Zhejiang. To balance ecological and production goals, we evaluated strip-cutting widths of 3, 5, and 8 m under three slope classes, 5–14° (gentle, SL1), 15–24° (moderate, SL2), and 25–34° (steep, SL3), focusing on bamboo growth recovery and understory vegetation diversity. Compared with uncut control plots, the number of herbaceous and shrub species increased in all treatment plots. In 5 m moderate slope plots, shoot and culm numbers were 27% and 13% higher than those in the 3 m and 8 m plots, and 37% higher than uncut control plots. Herb species diversity, as reflected by the Shannon–Wiener (H′), Simpson (D), and Margalef richness (R) indices, was high in the narrowest clearcut strips under SL1 and SL3. Pielou’s evenness index (J) was high in the 3 and 5 m plots under SL2 and SL3. Shrub species diversity, as indicated by D and R, was high in 5 and 8 m plots under SL2 and SL3. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that under SL2, 5 m strip-cutting width with a score of 0.649 outperformed others. These results suggest that 5 m strip-cutting width under SL2 slope optimizes understory vegetation diversity and supports a synergistic outcome of “high shoot emergence–high culm formation” thereby achieving both ecological and production benefits. Full article

The exon junction complex (EJC) is a central mediator of post-transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. A comprehensive, systematic analysis of EJC core genes has been lacking in Phyllostachys edulis (P. edulis). Here, we identified 147 EJC core genes across 17 plant species spanning the major green plant lineages. Phylogenetic analyses supported each family as a monophyletic clade consistent with established taxonomic relationships. Synteny analyses indicated that segmental duplication is the principal driver of EJC core gene expansion in P. edulis (Moso bamboo). Transcriptome profiling further showed that nearly all PedEJCs were engaged during rapid shoot growth, with PedY14b-D, PedY14c-D, and PedY14d-C displaying the most pronounced expression changes. During shoots’ post-harvest senescence process, PedEIF4A3s, PedY14s, and PedMAGOs were progressively downregulated, whereas PedBTZs were upregulated, indicating distinct module-level responses among EJC subunits. Only a small subset of PedEJCs responds to phytohormones and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, cis-regulatory element composition in promoter region likely shapes PedEJCs transcriptional regulation. Collectively, these findings lay the groundwork for in-depth functional dissection of PedEJCs in Moso bamboo. Full article

Bamboo forest density is a factor that critically impacts the growth of moso bamboo, soil quality, and productivity. In this study, four bamboo forest density treatment groups were established under a long-term bamboo-stocking retention model, namely 1200 ± 100, 1800 ± 100, 2400 ± 100, and 3000 ± 100 plants·hm⁻², while a traditional management model focused on selective logging, with a bamboo forest density of 2100 ± 100 plants·hm⁻² (CK), serving as the control group. The study aimed to investigate the impact of bamboo forest density on bamboo shoots, roots, and soil, identify key influencing factors, and determine the optimal management density for this management model. Under the novel management model, bamboo shoot yield and number exhibited a unimodal response to stand density. At a density of 2400 plants·hm⁻², the bamboo shoot yield reached its highest value of 18,822 kg·hm⁻², with 7080 shoots·hm⁻². Under the density of 2400 plants·hm⁻², the specific root length, specific root surface area and total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of 0–1 mm fine roots were higher, and the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were also better. Correlation analysis showed that the bamboo shoot yield and the number of shoots were closely related to soil quality (water content, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium), and the effect of root total nitrogen content on shoot yield was particularly significant (the explanation rate was 75.7%). The comprehensive growth status assessment (D3 > D4 > D2 > CK > D1) showed that there were differences in the performance of different density treatment groups. This information could help bamboo farmers improve yield while protecting soil quality. Full article

The growth of bamboo shoots during the rapid growth phase critically determines overall bamboo height development. While exogenous hormones and sugars promote plant growth, their interactions with environmental factors and regional variations remain unclear. This study examined moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) from Anhui and Hubei provinces using random forest and Bayesian hierarchical models to analyze direct and interactive effects of auxin, gibberellin, sucrose, auxin transport inhibitors, mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors, and environmental factors on shoot height. Results identified mean temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, and subsurface runoff as key environmental drivers. Regional adaptations were evident: Anhui bamboo showed positive correlations with temperature factors, while Hubei bamboo exhibited negative correlations. Subsurface runoff consistently promoted growth, whereas precipitation negatively impacted development. Gibberellin and auxin treatments significantly enhanced bamboo responsiveness to favorable environmental conditions, while inhibitor treatments reduced these responses. This research elucidates complex interactions among exogenous hormones, sugars, and environmental factors affecting bamboo shoot growth. The findings reveal distinct regional adaptation patterns and demonstrate how hormone treatments can modulate environmental responsiveness. These insights provide theoretical foundations and practical guidance for optimizing regional bamboo forest management strategies and improving yield outcomes. Full article

Soil phosphorus (P) availability is a critical factor affecting the productivity of Phyllostachys edulis (moso bamboo) forests. However, the mechanisms underlying the physiological and growth responses of moso bamboo to varying soil P conditions remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms of moso bamboo to different soil P levels from the perspectives of root morphological and architectural plasticity, as well as the allocation strategies of nutrient elements and photosynthates. One-year-old potted seedlings of moso bamboo were subjected to four P addition treatments (P1: 0, P2: 25 mg·kg⁻¹, P3: 50 mg·kg⁻¹, P4: 100 mg·kg⁻¹) for one year. The biomass of different seedling organs, root morphological and architectural indices, and the contents of nitrogen (N), P, and non-structural carbohydrates in the roots, stems, and leaves were measured in July and December. P addition increased the root length (by 113.8%), root surface area (by 146.5%), root average diameter (by 14.8%), root length ratio of thicker roots (diameter > 0.9 mm), number of root tips (by 31.9%), fractal dimension (by 5.6%), P accumulation (by 235.8%), and contents of starch (ST) and soluble sugars (SS), while it decreased the specific root length (by 31.7%), root branching angle (by 1.9%), root topological index (by 4.8%), root length ratio of finer roots (diameter ≤ 0.3 mm), SS/ST, and N/P. The root–shoot ratio showed a downward trend in July and an upward trend in December. Our results indicated that moso bamboo seedlings tended to form roots with a small diameter, high absorption efficiency, and minimal internal competition to adapt to soil P deficiency and carbon limitation caused by low P. Under low-P conditions, moso bamboo prioritized allocating photosynthates and P to roots, promoting the conversion of starch to soluble sugars to support root morphological and architectural plasticity and maintain root growth and physiological functions. Sole P addition eliminated the constraints of low P on moso bamboo growth and nutrient accumulation but caused imbalances in the N/P. Full article

Background/Objectives: Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), the most widely distributed bamboo species in China, is valued for both its shoots and timber. This species often faces challenges from high-temperature stress. To cope with this stress, Moso bamboo has evolved various adaptive mechanisms at the physiological and molecular levels. Although numerous studies have revealed that a large number of transcription factors (TFs) and genes play important roles in the regulatory network of plant heat stress responses, the regulatory network involved in heat responses remains incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, Moso bamboo was placed in a high-temperature environment of 42 °C for 1 h and 24 h, and transcriptome sequencing was carried out to accurately identify key molecules affected by high temperature and their related biological pathways. Results: Through a differential expression analysis, we successfully identified a series of key candidate genes and transcription factors involved in heat stress responses, including members of the ethylene response factor, HSF, WRKY, MYB, and bHLH families. Notably, in addition to traditional heat shock proteins/factors, multiple genes related to lipid metabolism, antioxidant enzymes, dehydration responses, and hormone signal transduction were found to play significant roles in heat stress responses. To further verify the changes in the expression of these genes, we used qRT-PCR technology for detection, and the results strongly supported their key roles in cellular physiological processes and heat stress responses. Conclusions: This study not only deepens our understanding of plant strategies for coping with and defending against extreme abiotic stresses but also provides valuable insights for future research on heat tolerance in Moso bamboo and other plants. Full article

Bamboo forests are among China’s key strategic forest resources, characterized by rapid growth and high carbon sequestration efficiency. Traditional management practices primarily aim to maximize economic benefits by regulating stand density to enhance yields of bamboo culms and shoots. However, the influence of density regulation on the growth and carbon accumulation of spring bamboo shoots remains insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study focuses on moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houzeau) stands and investigates shoot emergence during the shooting period across four stand density levels: D1 (1400 stems/ha), D2 (2000 stems/ha), D3 (2600 stems/ha), and D4 (3200 stems/ha). The study analyzes the dynamics of shoot emergence, height development, and morphological traits under varying stand densities, and explores patterns of carbon accumulation during the shooting period, thereby clarifying the effects of stand density on shoot quantity, growth quality, and carbon sequestration. The main findings are as follows: the number of emerging shoots decreased with increasing stand density, ranging from 2592 to 4634 shoots per hectare. The peak shoot emergence period in the D1 stand was extended by 3 days compared to D2 and D3, while the D4 stand entered the peak emergence period 6 days later than D2 and D3. The rapid height growth phase in D1 occurred 3 days earlier than in D2 and D3, and 6 days earlier than in D4. Results from the variable exponent taper equation indicated that spring shoots in the D2 and D4 stands had larger basal diameters, following the order D4 > D2 > D3 > D1. Shoots in the D2 stand exhibited the smallest taper, with the order being D2 < D3 < D1 < D4. During the late stage of shoot emergence (3 May to 9 May), all stands entered a period of rapid carbon accumulation per individual shoot. In the early stage, carbon accumulation followed the order D1 > D2 > D4 > D3; in the middle stage, the order shifted to D4 > D3 > D2 > D1; and in the final stage, the trend was D1 > D4 > D3 > D2. Within the 30-day investigation period, the carbon storage in spring shoots reached up to one-quarter or even one-third of the total accumulation during the growth period. The D1 stand exhibited the highest rate of increase in the proportion of individual shoot carbon storage. Full article

Lead (Pb) contamination in Moso bamboo forests poses a challenge in terms of sustainable development and raises concerns about the safety of bamboo shoots for consumption. However, the physiological impacts of Pb stress on Moso bamboo growth and the molecular mechanisms governing its adaptive responses remain poorly understood. This study comprehensively investigated the physiological and transcriptomic responses of Moso bamboo to Pb stress. The results showed that low concentrations (1–10 µM) of Pb stress had minimal adverse effects on biomass accumulation and the photochemical quantum yield of PSII in Moso bamboo. However, at a high Pb concentration (50 µM), the growth of roots was significantly inhibited, while Pb accumulation in the roots and shoots reached 15,611 mg·kg⁻¹ and 759 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. The uptake of Pb was increased as the external Pb concentration increased, but the xylem loading of Pb reached saturation at 57.79 µM after six-hour exposure. Pb was mainly localized in the epidermis and pericycle cells in the roots, where the thickening of cell walls in these cells was found after Pb treatment. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1485 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with significant alterations in genes associated with metal cation transporters and cell wall synthesis. These findings collectively indicate that Moso bamboo is a Pb-tolerant plant, characterized by a high accumulation capacity and efficient xylem loading. The tolerance mechanism likely involves the transcriptional regulation of genes related to heavy metal transport and cell wall biosynthesis. Full article

Examining the ramet system in bamboo forests can provide an important theoretical basis for strategic management. Moso bamboo is an economically important species in China, and implementing the correct management measures can play a key role in improving bamboo productivity. However, the dynamics of the Moso bamboo ramet system under timber vs. shoot forest management remain underexplored. In this study, we investigated the underground rhizome growth, bud bank structures, branch growth, and distribution patterns of bamboo ramet systems in the two main bamboo cultivation types. Shoot forest ramet systems exhibited stable early-stage rhizome renewal but instability in later stages, characterized by thin, elongated rhizomes. The opposite was observed in the timber forests. The underground bud bank of the ramet system in the shoot forest had a strong renewal ability with stable lateral bud input. However, shoot harvesting disturbed the bud bank balance. The lateral bud input in the timber forest was unstable, with the lateral buds being prone to death. The variation range and quantity of branch types in the ramet system in the shoot forest were greater than those in the timber forest. The number of branches in different parts of the ramet system was in the order of rhizome tip (RT) > middle of rhizome (RM) > rhizome base (RB). The range of variation was greater in the shoot forest. Different management methods led to growth differences in the examined bamboo ramet systems. Bamboo forest management resulted in a correlation between bud banks and ramet system renewal. Operations such as bamboo shoot harvesting significantly impacted branch growth and distribution. These findings not only provide a better understanding of the growth and management strategy of bamboo ramet systems worldwide but also provide a universal theoretical reference for the sustainable management of bamboo forests in other countries. Full article

Moso bamboo forests (MBFs) are unique subtropical ecosystems characterized by distinct leaf phenology, bamboo shoots, rapid growth, and carbon sequestration capability. Leaf area index (LAI) is an essential metric for evaluating the productivity and ecological quality of MBFs. However, accurate and large-scale methods for remote-sensing-based LAI monitoring during the winter growth stage remain underdeveloped. This study introduces a novel method integrating hyperspectral indices from Zhuhai-1 Orbit Hyperspectral Satellites (OHS) imagery with the particle swarm optimization-support vector machine (PSO-SVM) coupling model to estimate LAI in winter MBFs. Five traditional vegetation indices (VI_Rs) and their red-edge variants (VI_REs) were optimized to build empirical models. Machine learning algorithms, including SVM, Random Forest, extreme gradient boosting, and partial linear regression, were also applied. The PSO-SVM model, integrating three VI_Rs and three VI_REs, achieved the highest accuracy (R² = 0.721, RMSE = 0.490), outperforming traditional approaches. LAI was strongly correlated with indices, such as NDVI_R, RVI_R, EVI_RE, and SAVI_R (R > 0.77). LAI values of MBFs primarily ranged from 2.1 to 5.5 during winter, with values exceeding 4.5 indicating high winter bamboo shoot harvesting. These findings demonstrate the potential of OHS data to improve LAI retrieval models for large-scale LAI mapping, offering new insights into MBFs monitoring and contributing to sustainable forest management practices. Full article

Bamboo, characterized by its high growth speed and short maturation period, occupies 0.875% of the global forest area and significantly contributes to terrestrial carbon cycling. The state of shoot growth can essentially indicate a bamboo forests’ health and productivity. This study explored the potential of backpack laser scanning (BLS) for monitoring the growth of Moso bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys edulis), a key economic species in subtropical China. Initially, the accuracy of BLS in extracting attributes of bamboo and shoots (including diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and real-world coordinates) was validated. An optimized method was developed to address the lower precision of BLS in extracting the DBH for thinner species. Subsequently, this research analyzed the impact of spatial structure and other indicators on shoot emergence stage and growth rate using a random forest model. The results indicate that BLS can accurately extract Moso bamboo and shoot height (RMSE = 0.748 m) even in dense bamboo forests. After optimization, the error in DBH extraction significantly decreased (RMSE = 0.835 cm), with the average planar and elevation errors for Moso bamboo being 0.227 m and 0.132 m, respectively. The main indicators affecting the coordinate error of Moso bamboo were the distance to the start (DS) and the distance to the trajectory (DT). The emergence time of shoots was mainly influenced by the surrounding Moso bamboo quantity, with the leaf area index (LAI) and competition index (CI) positively related to the growth rate of shoots. The importance ranking of spatial structure for the carbon storage of shoots was similar to that of the growth rate of shoots, with both identifying LAI as the most significant indicator. This study has validated the value of BLS in monitoring the growth of shoots, providing a theoretical support for the sustainable management and conservation of bamboo forests. Full article

The bamboo shoot is a crucial component of bamboo forest economy. Previous studies have demonstrated that rapid lignification occurs during the postharvest storage of bamboo shoots. However, the mechanism underlying rapid lignification after bamboo shoot harvesting remains unclear. To explore this phenomenon in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houz.) shoots, we employed morphological, cytological, lignin content determination, and transcriptomic analysis methods. Our results indicated that the optimal consumption period is within 12–24 h postharvest. We identified 19,038 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the majority enriched in pathways related to stress response, photosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid (JA). Additionally, copy number analysis of ten enzyme-coding genes involved in lignin synthesis revealed the regulatory network of lignin synthesis following shoot harvesting. The study offers insights into the rapid lignification process in bamboo shoots postharvest, potentially regulated by stress responses and JA. Feasible preservation methods were also explored to extend the storage duration at room temperature. Full article