Search Results (2,024)

Primula vulgaris possesses considerable edible, medicinal, and ornamental value. It is widely applied in food and pharmaceutical development and, as an early-spring flowering plant, is used in landscaping. However, its range of applications and scope are significantly limited due to its inability to withstand high temperatures. This study aimed to investigate the heat tolerance of P. vulgaris under natural high temperatures during summer, identify the most heat-resistant varieties, and determine the optimal conditions for summer outdoor cultivation. Eight P. vulgaris varieties were selected and placed under forest shade with three different shading rates during the summer high-temperature period. Additionally, the heat damage index and the following six physiological indicators were measured: malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and relative conductivity. Furthermore, a correlation analysis of the physiological indicators was conducted, and a heat tolerance evaluation was performed using the membership function method. Simultaneously, qRT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression patterns of three heat stress-related genes (PvHSP70, PvNCED6, and PvHSF24) across the different cultivars and experimental sites. Under heat stress conditions, leaf area was found to be positively and highly significantly correlated with stomatal density (p < 0.01). The heat damage index, MDA content, and relative conductivity increased significantly with prolonged stress, and they showed highly significant positive correlations. SOD activity, soluble sugar content, and soluble protein content increased to resist heat damage, while POD activity exhibited no consistent trend. Highly significant positive correlations were observed among protective enzyme activities and osmotic regulatory substances. After a comprehensive evaluation, the eight varieties were ranked according to heat tolerance as follows: “Early Punas Yellow” > “Danova Red” > “Middle Punas Rose Red” > “Middle Punas Blue” > “Middle Punas Red” > “Danova Rose White” > “Middle Punas Crimson” > “Middle Punas Scarlet”. Conclusions: “Early Punas Yellow”, “Danova Red”, and “Middle Punas Rose Red” demonstrated strong heat tolerance. In addition, the expression of PvHSP70 and PvHSF24 was significantly upregulated in heat-tolerant cultivars, while that of PvNCED6 showed a sustained increasing trend with rising temperatures. The results of a three-way ANOVA suggested that P. vulgaris exhibited different regulatory patterns among various traits under natural high-temperature stress. Morphological and integrative damage-related indicators, including leaf area, stomatal density, and the heat damage index, all presented significant “site × time” interaction effects. Meanwhile, some physiological regulatory indicators displayed more complex and inconsistent response patterns. These findings further confirm that a dense forest understory grassland is an ideal environment for the summer outdoor cultivation of P. vulgaris. Full article

Instance segmentation of moso bamboo cells is a critical step in quantitative structural analysis of bamboo materials and plant phenomics research. Moso bamboo tissues are mainly composed of vascular bundles and parenchyma cells. Within vascular bundles, fiber cells exhibit thick cell walls and extremely dense arrangements, whereas vessel cells are characterized by large diameters and complex internal structures. These features frequently lead to blurred boundaries, structural complexity, and local overexposure in microscopic images, making it difficult for traditional segmentation algorithms to achieve stable and accurate results. Although the U-Net has demonstrated outstanding performance in biological microscopic image analysis, its feature extraction capability and boundary recognition stability remain insufficient when dealing with the composite structure of moso bamboo. To address these challenges, this study proposes an improved model based on a multi-scale attention mechanism, termed MBMSA-UNet (Moso Bamboo Multi-Scale Attention U-Net). Building upon the encoder–decoder architecture of U-Net, the proposed model introduces a multi-scale channel-spatial attention block, aiming to handle the pronounced morphological and scale differences among vessels, fibers, and parenchyma cells. By adaptively reweighting features at different scales, the model enhances cross-layer feature fusion and strengthens responses to key regions, thereby effectively suppressing local overexposure interference and emphasizing boundary features between different cell types. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with the U-Net and several of its improved variants, MBMSA-UNet achieves higher segmentation accuracy and greater robustness on microscopic images of moso bamboo, providing a solid foundation for fine-grained quantitative analysis of complex bamboo tissues. Full article

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in commercial demand for natural fibers. Consequently, numerous studies have concentrated on formulating innovative industrial production methodologies for natural fibers, with a particular emphasis on the environmental sustainability of production processes. Among natural fiber sources, bamboo has emerged as a leading candidate, attracting considerable interest due to its exceptional renewability, rapid growth, and low cultivation requirements. The contemporary industrial methodologies employed in the extraction of cellulose from bamboo frequently entail the utilization of concentrated solutions of strong acids and bases, often at elevated temperatures and with extended treatment durations. These processes generate highly polluting waste from mineral acids and bases, posing significant environmental challenges and ecosystem damage. In response to the prevailing concerns, there has been a marked increase in the focus on environmentally friendly techniques that combine enzymatic treatments, selective chemical reagents, and optimized mechanical processes. These processes facilitate the extraction of high-quality bamboo fibers, which are suitable for utilization in the textile industry and have the potential to replace synthetic fibers. This work demonstrates the efficacy of methodologies employing more diluted solutions than conventional approaches. Specifically, this study utilizes a weak base, such as NH₄OH, in conjunction with hydrothermal extraction. It is therefore possible for dilute weak base solutions to yield natural fibers after a relatively brief period of processing, typically just a few hours. Full article

Creep is one of the most important factors that should be considered during the application of composite materials in modern industry. In this work, bamboo scrimber, a commonly used natural fibre-reinforced composite material manufactured via hot pressing, was investigated to determine its creep property under compressive loading. Its creep evolution history alongside time-varying load history were analysed. In addition, variations of the Kelvin-Voigt model were used to analyse the mechanical constitutive relation of the material. The key finding of this paper is that the creep strain growth behaviour of bamboo crimper mostly depends on the stress level acting on it. Moreover, the VOF (variable-order Caputo fractional) derivative-based Kelvin-Voigt model is more suitable than the traditional model, as it simulates the dynamics of the time–strain relationship of bamboo scrimber at all relevant stress levels. The effect of stress level on the main model parameters was also analysed through detailed function models. These benefits suggest that the proposed model is significantly useful in terms of informing the design and implementation of bamboo scrimber in the real world. Full article

The disorderly expansion of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) into adjacent forests has become a serious ecological issue in southern China; however, the response of soil microbial communities remain unclear. This study investigated the succession patterns of bacterial and fungal communities through high-throughput sequencing and soil physicochemical analysis across three expansion stages in subtropical China: mixed coniferous–broadleaf forests, bamboo–forest transition zones, and pure Moso bamboo stands. The results indicate that Moso bamboo expansion altered soil bacterial and fungal beta-diversity without changing alpha-diversity. Random forest and redundancy analyses revealed distinct microbial group drivers. Bacterial communities were driven by available phosphorus (37.1% explained variance), with expansion intensifying soil phosphorus limitation and selecting for groups adapted to low-phosphorus environments (e.g., Acidobacteria). Fungal communities were primarily influenced by bulk density (21.3% explained variance), as the bamboo rhizosphere system altered soil physical structure, resulting in a significant loss of ectomycorrhizal fungi (e.g., Russula) and a corresponding decline in Basidiomycota abundance. This study confirms that Moso bamboo expansion reorganizes the soil microbial ecosystem through two pathways: chemical nutrient limitation and physical space remodeling. By revealing the subterranean ecological consequences of Moso bamboo expansion, this study provides a theoretical foundation for sustainable management of subtropical forests. Full article

To address the limitations regarding poor adaptability to complex forest environments as well as high installation and operational costs in existing mountain transportation equipment, a modular cable-type equipment for moso bamboo transportation was designed based on the terrain characteristics of steep bamboo forests and specific transportation requirements. This study first presents the overall structure and working principle of the transportation equipment. Next, a theoretical analysis and component selection were conducted for critical parts such as the wire rope, supporting components, wire-rope-driven devices, and hydraulic systems. Then, the static characteristics of the supporting components and the vibration characteristics of the wire rope were simulated and analyzed. Finally, performance testing of the equipment was conducted, focusing on transportation productivity and machine utilization. The results showed that the maximum deformation of the supporting components was 1.75 mm, occurring at the lower roller–rail contact region. During unloading, the first-order principal vibration amplitude of the wire rope had the greatest impact at the mid-span position, with a value of 0.27 m. The vibration frequency of the wire rope during operation is influenced by the its initial tension, load mass, and attachment distance, with the first-order frequency range approximately between 0.85 and 3.90 Hz. Within this frequency range, the bouncing excitation caused by moso bamboo does not induce resonance in the wire rope. The transportation productivity of the equipment was 2.61 tons per hour, with the machine utilization rate exceeding 95%. This study indicates that the designed cable-type equipment effectively meets the requirements for moso bamboo transportation in complex forest environments. Full article

Accurately quantifying the inequality of plant organ size distributions, such as leaf area, is essential for understanding plant resource allocation strategies, and this is commonly achieved using Lorenz curves. Previous studies have shown that the performance equation (PE) and its generalized form (GPE) effectively describe Lorenz curves that are rotated 135° counterclockwise around the origin and shifted rightward by $\sqrt{2}$ units. However, few studies have compared the fitting performance of PE (and GPE) with other traditional equations generating Lorenz curves in modeling empirical leaf area distributions, and even fewer have considered the validity of linear approximation assumptions in these nonlinear models. To address this gap, we quantified the inequality of leaf area distributions in Semiarundinaria densiflora, a bamboo species for which the abundant and measurable leaves per culm provide an ideal system for examining the ecological strategies underlying leaf allocation patterns. Five nonlinear models were employed to fit the leaf area distribution: PE, GPE, the Sarabia equation (SarabiaE), the Sarabia–Castillo–Slottje equation (SCSE), and the Sitthiyot–Holasut equation (SHE). Model performance was assessed using root-mean-square error (RMSE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC), while nonlinearity curvature measures were applied to evaluate the close-to-linear behavior of parameter estimates. In addition, the Lorenz asymmetry coefficient (LAC) was used to quantify the asymmetry of the Lorenz curves. Our results showed a clear trade-off between predictive accuracy and linear approximation behavior. Among the five models, GPE achieved the best fit, with the lowest RMSE and AIC values, yet did not show good close-to-linear behavior. In contrast, SHE provided the poorest fit but demonstrated the strongest close-to-linear properties. LAC values indicated that relatively abundant, larger leaves disproportionately contributed to the inequality in leaf area distribution. These findings highlight an inherent trade-off in using Lorenz-based models to describe leaf area frequency distributions: predictive accuracy does not necessarily align with statistical validity. By integrating model fit, nonlinearity diagnostics, and asymmetry assessment, this study provides new perspectives and methodological tools for future investigations into inequality in plant organ size distributions and their ecological significance. Full article

This study presents a machine learning framework for the reconstruction of fatigue life and fracture toughness in natural fiber-reinforced composites, evaluating the predictive accuracy of six regression algorithms—Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machine, Neural Network, Ridge Regression, and Lasso Regression—using a controlled synthetic dataset of 600 samples generated from established Basquin fatigue and Rule of Mixtures fracture equations, incorporating stochastic noise calibrated to experimental scatter (CV = 15–50%), with log-normal noise standard deviation of 0.20 for fatigue life and Gaussian noise standard deviation of 0.15 for fracture toughness. The dataset encompasses eight natural fiber types (flax, jute, sisal, hemp, bamboo, coconut, banana, and pineapple) and five matrix systems (epoxy, polyester, PLA, vinyl ester, and polyurethane). Models were evaluated using a 70-15-15 train–validation–test split with 5-fold cross-validation and exhaustive grid search hyperparameter optimisation. Gradient Boosting achieved R² = 0.93 for fatigue life and Stacking Ensemble achieved R² = 0.87 for fracture toughness, representing 97% and 89% of their respective noise-ceiling values (theoretical maximum R² of 0.96 and 0.98 given the programmed noise levels). The ML models perform supervised function approximation—learning to reconstruct the programmed generation equations rather than discovering novel physical composite behaviour—and function as automated surrogates for the governing equations. Feature importance analysis identified engineered composite indicators, stress amplitude, and fiber length as the most influential parameters. The framework provides a reproducible ML evaluation pipeline as a methodological template for future experimental composite studies. Full article

The accurate estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) in Moso bamboo forests is critical for assessing their carbon sequestration potential and supporting sustainable management. Satellite-based approaches are often constrained by signal saturation and mixed-pixel effects, whereas Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery enables precise individual tree detection, overcoming these limitations. In this study, we propose a stand density (SD)-driven AGB estimation framework using high-resolution UAV RGB imagery. Individual bamboo positions were extracted using the Revised Local Maximum (RLM) algorithm, which achieved an optimal accuracy at a 2.5 m sampling interval (OA = 82.20%). Using 85 ground-truth plots, we developed six SD-AGB models and evaluated them via 10-fold cross-validation and independent UAV validation (10 plots). The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model outperformed others, with strong calibration (R² = 0.94, RMSE = 3.78 Mg/ha), robust cross-validation (R² = 0.84 ± 0.06, RMSE = 5.24 ± 0.67 Mg/ha), and reliable independent validation (R² = 0.87, RMSE = 4.56 Mg/ha). Spatial mapping revealed a total of 14,190 bamboo plants with an average AGB of 32.80 Mg/ha. This UAV-based SD-AGB framework provides a robust, scalable, and cost-effective tool for precise biomass estimation, supporting sustainable bamboo forest management and carbon sequestration strategies and progress towards SDG 15. Full article

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is a valuable medicinal plant whose dryland cultivation typically yields 30–35% lower flavonoid concentration than forest understory systems due to soil and microbial deficiencies. We investigated whether biochar amendment could bridge this quality gap through rhizosphere microecological regulation. Using a split-plot pot experiment with in situ soils from a bamboo forest and a vegetable field, we applied biochar at 2%. Biochar in bamboo forest (MBBC) achieved the highest flavonoid concentrations, exceeding unamended forest and vegetable controls by 22% and 35%, respectively. Biochar effects were habitat-specific. In acidic forest soils (pH 4.95), it raised the pH to 5.61, while in vegetable fields, it boosted leucine aminopeptidase by 159%. Partial least squares path modeling revealed biochar exerted its effects indirectly (indirect effect = 0.88), with soil extracellular enzymes mediating between soil conditions and plant biosynthetic enzymes (PAL, CHS, CHI). Fungal composition was positively associated with biosynthesis (β = 1.68, p < 0.01), particularly Mortierellomycetes, whereas bacterial diversity unexpectedly exhibited a significant negative correlation with it (β = −0.79, p < 0.05). Biochar disrupted Eurotiomycetes dominance in forest soils (from 85% to 39%), creating functionally diverse niches that were associated with enhanced flavonoid accumulation. These findings demonstrate biochar functions as an ecological niche regulator, providing a sustainable strategy for high-quality medicinal plant production in non-native habitats. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different application rates of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) from Morchella sextelata on soil properties and microbial communities in a moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantation. Three SMS rates (2.4, 4.7, and 9.4 kg·m⁻²) were applied, and soil samples were collected at 6 and 12 months from two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). One year after application, topsoil total phosphorus (TP) increased 12–20 fold, while available phosphorus (AP) and potassium (AK) were significantly elevated. Soil pH initially decreased but partially recovered, whereas electrical conductivity (EC) continued to rise, indicating salt accumulation. Urease (UA) and sucrase (SA) activities increased 10–17 fold and 3–5 fold, respectively, while catalase (CAT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were temporarily suppressed. SMS application significantly altered microbial community composition, with Acidobacteriota and Basidiomycota becoming more abundant. Correlation analysis identified pH, organic matter, AP, and UA as key factors linked to microbial changes. The medium application rate (4.7 kg·m⁻²) provided the best balance between soil improvement and environmental risk. These findings demonstrate that M. sextelata SMS can effectively enhance soil fertility while modulating microbial communities, but salt accumulation and short-term acidification warrant attention. Full article

This study evaluated the relevance of using bamboo cellulose (BC) compounded with resin (R) for the manufacture of medical orthoses (BCO). A 22-factorial screening experimental design was used, with two experimental factors and six response variables. Three polymer composites (PC) were prepared: S1 (BC 40%, R 60%), S2 (BC 30%, R 70%), and S3 (BC 20%, R 80%), which were molded under a pressure of 10.5 kg in 25 × 5 cm male-female dies, with an internal space of 2 mm, at 20 °C for 24 h. The mechanical properties evaluated included tensile strength (RTRAC), ball penetration resistance (RPEBOL), puncture resistance (RPUNZ), and their corresponding extensions (ETRAC, EPEBOL, and EPUNZ). Mass, tensile strength, elongation, punching resistance, and penetration were determined in accordance with ISO 3801, ISO 9073-3, EN 388, and ASTM D3787 standards. Statistical analysis was performed using Statgraphics Centurion and Past 4.13 software. The results showed that increasing the resin content and decreasing the bamboo cellulose significantly improved the mechanical performance of the material. The S3 samples (BC 20%, R 80%) had the highest mechanical strength values, with a tensile strength of (1049.34 ± 85.57 N; n = 5), representing an increase of 398.60% over the base formulation. Likewise, increases of 92.25% in puncture resistance (24.12 ± 29.91 N; n = 5) and 196% in ball penetration resistance (323.98 ± 1.39 N; n = 5) were recorded. Tensile elongation showed an increase of 228% (7.55 ± 5.01%; n = 5). In the S2 samples (BC 30%, R 70%), the greatest increase was observed in the puncture elongation, with a value of 16.33 ± 1.25 mm (n = 5), corresponding to an increase of 59.78%. Meanwhile, the S1 samples (BC 40%, R 60%) exhibited the highest ball penetration extension value (34.07 ± 1.61 mm; n = 5), while the S2 and S3 formulations recorded decreases of 2.11% and 2.23%, respectively. Additionally, thickness, weight, and density showed a strong correlation with each other (p > 0.05). Overall, the results indicate that the combination of bamboo cellulose and epoxy resin is a sustainable and effective alternative for the development of medical orthoses, due to the significant improvement in their mechanical properties, which supports their application in orthotic devices based on sustainable biomaterials. Full article

The natural resources and local communities of Madre de Dios, Peru, face severe environmental degradation due to illegal mining, deforestation, and the expansion of agricultural activities, threatening one of the most ecologically sensitive regions of the Amazon. This research proposes a low-carbon and bioclimatic architectural design for a Sustainable Interpretation and Research Center dedicated to the conservation of the ecosystems of Manu National Park. The study is based on an analysis of the surrounding environment in terms of flora, fauna, and climate, applying bioclimatic strategies focused on sustainability and supported by specialized digital tools (Revit 2024, Canva, Global Mapper 2024, SketchUp 2024, Photoshop 2022, and Illustrator 2022). The project presents a bioclimatic architectural design that integrates constructive techniques ensuring thermal comfort in a warm-humid climate, while promoting the use of clean technologies such as photovoltaic solar systems generating 15,571.8 kWh per year and a rainwater harvesting system collecting 70,675 L annually. The infrastructure is built with bamboo and locally sourced wood, renewable materials that ensure durability and low environmental impact. In addition, the design includes the reforestation of 17.92% of the total area and 3.46% of public spaces, incorporating native species such as Brazil nut, rosewood, and capirona to reinforce local biodiversity. Overall, this research demonstrates how low-carbon construction, renewable materials, and bioclimatic design can contribute to sustainable development, environmental awareness, and the preservation of natural ecosystems in tropical regions. Full article

Foliar fertilization, an efficient agricultural production strategy, is relatively rare in bamboo cultivation and management. Phosphorus assumes an indispensable role in controlling plant sugar metabolism and antioxidant defense. Whether foliar application of triple superphosphate (TSP) can enhance carbohydrate metabolism in new bamboo leaves, improve the antioxidant defense system, and thereby promote the growth and development of new leaves remains to be investigated. In this study, we conducted foliar application of TSP on the new leaves of 1-year-old Neosinocalamus affinis culms to analyze the effects of exogenous phosphorus on leaf morphological, anatomical, and physiological characteristics. The results showed that 0.3% TSP was the optimal concentration. This treatment significantly increased leaf length (maximum growth rate of 24.3% on day 21) and mesophyll cell thickness. It also significantly increased total chlorophyll content (maximum increase rate of 71.10% on day 14). The 0.3% TSP treatment significantly enhanced the activities of critical enzymes involved in sucrose biosynthetic and catabolic processes and starch synthesis, inhibited starch degrading enzyme activity, and promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars, starch, and total non-structural carbohydrates. Furthermore, TSP treatment significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), and significantly reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (45.11% and 54.64% reduction on day 7, respectively), indicating effective alleviation of oxidative stress and enhanced leaf stress resistance. Generally, foliar application of 0.3% TSP synergistically optimized leaf structure, photosynthetic capacity, sugar metabolism, and antioxidant defense system, comprehensively promoting the development of new N. affinis leaves and enhancing their stress resistance. Full article