Search Results (37)

The development of sustainable and efficient plant growth substrates is crucial for modern agriculture. This study assessed the potential of plant pellets formulated from various lignocellulosic residues, either with or without bamboo biochar (BB-char) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to support seed germination and early seedling growth. Four types of residues, including coconut coir (CO), corn cob (CC), leaves from the genus Dipterocarpus (DL), and teak leaves (TL), were combined with soil and paper waste to produce eight pellet formulations, with commercial peat pellets serving as a control. Chemical analyses revealed significant variation among the pellet types, with pH values ranging from 6.40 to 7.65, electrical conductivity (EC) from 3.64 to 11.62 mS cm⁻¹, and differences in organic matter, carbon, and nutrient contents [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], reflecting the influence of residue type and the addition of BB-char and AMF. Phytotoxicity screening using aqueous extracts demonstrated species-specific responses, with cucumber exhibiting high tolerance across treatments, whereas chili seeds were more sensitive. Final germination percentage (FGP) and seedling growth assays in greenhouse conditions showed that pellets derived from CC and CO, particularly when combined with BB-char and AMF (T6 and T7), enhanced shoot and root development in carrot, chili, cucumber, and tomato, approaching the performance of commercial peat pellets. In contrast, DL- and TL-based pellets resulted in lower germination and growth. These findings indicate that both the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic wastes and the combination of BB-char and AMF are important factors influencing pellet efficacy, highlighting the potential of CC- and CO-based pellets as sustainable peat alternatives for early-stage plant cultivation. Full article

Intensive management practices promote microplastic (MP) accumulation in Phyllostachys violascens forests, posing potential threats to ecosystem stability and the edibility safety of bamboo shoots. However, how urbanization and mulching duration jointly regulate MP distribution, transfer, and associated food safety risks remains unclear. We investigated MP dynamics across urban–rural gradients (suburban vs. exurban) under different mulching durations (no mulching, short–term mulching, and long–term mulching), focusing on the rhizome–root–soil system and bamboo shoots. MP abundance was significantly higher in suburban forests, with maxima under long–term mulching, whereas in exurban forests, peaks occurred under long–term mulching. Urbanization also altered MP allocation patterns, with enrichment in rhizome roots and rhizomes in suburban forests but greater accumulation in bamboo shoots in exurban forests. Long–term mulching markedly enhanced MP accumulation across all components, particularly in clump roots, where abundance was three times higher than that in exurban forests. MPs were predominantly small (20–50 μm), mainly composed of acrylates (ACRs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene (PE). Along the “soil–root–rhizome” continuum, contrasting transfer patterns emerged between suburban and exurban forests, with soil total potassium identified as the key driver regulating MP migration and redistribution. Although the pollution load index indicated moderate contamination without significant accumulation in bamboo shoots, the ecological risk index revealed a high ecological risk, highlighting potential food safety concerns. Overall, MP accumulation and migration in Ph. violascens systems are jointly shaped by urban–rural gradients and mulching duration, with implications for belowground processes and the safety of edible bamboo shoots. 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 exacerbation of Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a leading cause of forest degradation. However, the effects of Al on clone bamboo are not well-characterized. This study examined the influence of Al on bamboo growth using one-year-old Phyllostachys edulis seedlings subjected to control Al treatments, which aim to provide theoretical support for improving the soil quality of bamboo forests. The results indicated that the Al content in the seedlings increased by 86.42% to 162.79% compared to the control. However, it remained within a relatively stable range, with the root being the primary site of accumulation. Among the treatments, the 0.3 mM Al group (Al³⁺) exhibited the highest values in biomass indexes (LB, RB and AGB). In contrast, the 2.0 mM Al treatment led to a significantly higher root-to-shoot ratio (RSR) than other groups. Physiological analyses revealed coordinated responses in key antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, CAT) and osmotic adjustment substances (Pro, SP, Bet). These findings demonstrate that P. edulis possesses considerable tolerance to Al, with a significant phenotypic inhibitory effect that was not observed with 2.0 mM Al treatment. Bamboo responds to Al stress through controlling Al absorption, optimizing resource reallocation, and enhancing adaptability physiology capacity, illustrating a comprehensive collaboration adaptive mechanism. Full article

Bamboo (subfamily Bambusoideae, Poaceae) ranks among the fastest-growing plants on Earth, achieving up to 1 m day⁻¹, significantly faster than other fast growing woody plant such as Eucalyptus (up to 0.6 m day⁻¹) and Populus (up to 0.5 m day⁻¹). Native to Asia, South America and Africa, and cultivated on approximately 37 million ha worldwide, bamboo delivers multifaceted environmental, social, and economic benefits. Historically central to construction, handicrafts, paper and cuisine, bamboo has evolved into a high-value cash crop and green innovation platform. Its rapid renewability allows multiple harvests of young shoots in fast-growing species such as Phyllostachys edulis and Dendrocalamus asper. Its high tensile strength, flexibility, and ecological adaptability make it suitable for applications in bioenergy (bioethanol, biogas, biochar), advanced materials (engineered composites, textiles, activated carbon), and biotechnology (fermentable sugars, prebiotics, biochemicals). Bamboo shoots and leaves provide essential nutrients, antioxidants and bioactive compounds with documented health and pharmaceutical potential. With a global market value exceeding USD 41 billion, bamboo demand continues to grow in response to the call for sustainable materials. Ecologically, bamboo sequesters up to 259 t C ha⁻¹, stabilizes soil, enhances agroforestry systems and enables phytoremediation of degraded lands. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including species- and age-dependent mechanical variability; vulnerability to decay and pests; flammability; lack of standardized harvesting and engineering codes; and environmental impacts of certain processing methods. This review traces bamboo’s trajectory from a traditional resource to a strategic bioresource aligned with Industry 5.0, underscores its role in low-emission, circular bioeconomies and identifies pathways for optimized cultivation, green processing technologies and integration into carbon-credit frameworks. By addressing these challenges through innovation and policy support, bamboo can underpin resilient, human-centric economies and drive sustainable development. 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

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

Underground winter bamboo shoots, prized for their high nutritional value and economic significance, face harvesting challenges owing to inefficient manual methods and the lack of specialized detection technologies. This review systematically evaluates current detection approaches, including manual harvesting, microwave detection, resistivity methods, and biomimetic techniques. While manual methods remain dominant, they suffer from labor shortages, low efficiency, and high damage rates. Microwave-based technologies demonstrate high accuracy and good depths but are hindered by high costs and soil moisture interference. Resistivity methods show feasibility in controlled environments but struggle with field complexity and low resolution. Biomimetic approaches, though innovative, face limitations in odor sensitivity and real-time data processing. Key challenges include heterogeneous soil conditions, performance loss, and a lack of standardized protocols. To address these, an integrated intelligent framework is proposed: (1) three-dimensional modeling via multi-sensor fusion for subsurface mapping; (2) artificial intelligence (AI)-driven harvesting robots with adaptive excavation arms and obstacle avoidance; (3) standardized cultivation systems to optimize soil conditions; (4) convolution neural network–transformer hybrid models for visual-aided radar image analysis; and (5) aeroponic AI systems for controlled growth monitoring. These advancements aim to enhance detection accuracy, reduce labor dependency, and increase yields. Future research should prioritize edge-computing solutions, cost-effective sensor networks, and cross-disciplinary collaborations to bridge technical and practical gaps. The integration of intelligent technologies is poised to transform traditional bamboo forestry into automated, sustainable “smart forest farms”, addressing global supply demands while preserving ecological integrity. Full article

Effective nitrogen (N) management and the development of novel N fertilizers are essential for enhancing maize growth in tropical soils. One strategy to increase N use efficiency is the use of organic matrices as a source of N or their combination with the application of mineral N sources. Among these organic matrices, biochar emerges as a highly promising option for optimizing N use efficiency. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different feedstocks, their respective biochars, and their combination with N on the dynamics and uptake of N by maize plants in two contrasting Oxisols. A 30-day greenhouse experiment was conducted using maize grown under treatments with four feedstocks (bamboo, sunflower cake, chicken manure, and shrimp carcass) and their respective biochars. The biochars were applied with or without ammonium nitrate (AN), alongside negative (no N) and positive (AN-only) controls. Ammonium and nitrate levels were analyzed in the soil solution at 1 and 15 days and in the whole soil before and after cultivation. Maize biomass production and shoot N accumulation were also evaluated at the end of the experiment. Among the main results, it was observed that soil type played a key role in available N, maize nutrition, and growth. In the medium-textured Oxisol studied, native soil organic matter partially met maize N requirements due to high content of available N observed. Biochars influenced N availability by increasing nitrate-N prevalence in the soil solution. Although whole-soil N levels were sufficient for robust maize growth, post-cultivation residual N remained low (<75 mg kg⁻¹), indicating the need for supplemental N fertilization for plants grown in pots. In the medium-textured Oxisol, bamboo or sunflower cake biochar combined with AN increased biomass production by ~12% compared with AN alone. Similarly, in the clayey Oxisol, maize fertilized with sunflower cake or shrimp carcass biochar—regardless of AN addition—outperformed AN-fertilized plants by 19–30%. Thus, this study highlights the potential of integrating biochar with N fertilization to improve soil and solution N availability and increase N use efficiency by maize plants. Full article

This study investigates the dynamics of soil CO₂ emissions during the cover period of Phyllostachys violascens and the impact of different cover measures, aiming to provide references for reducing the environmental effects of bamboo cover. An L₂₇ (9¹³) orthogonal experimental design was employed, setting the following variables: (1) heating materials: chicken manure, straw cake, and wheat ash; (2) thickness of husk layer: 15 cm, 25 cm, and 35 cm; (3) soil moisture levels before covering: moisture to 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm. The soil CO₂ emission rate showed a unimodal curve, with a significant overall increase during the cover period. Throughout the entire cover period, the average soil CO₂ emission rate (25.39 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) was 5.1 times higher than that of the uncovered Lei bamboo forest (5.02 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during the same period. Thicker husk layers (25 cm and 35 cm) corresponded to higher soil CO₂ emission rates, with significant differences noted among the thicknesses. When the soil was moist to 10 cm, the CO₂ emission rate was highest (62.51 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹); moisture to 15 cm and 20 cm resulted in significantly lower emission rates. Chicken manure produced the highest peak CO₂ emissions in the third week, at 70.64 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, while straw cake and wheat ash reached their peaks in the fifth week, at 66.56 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ and 57.58 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, respectively. The interactions between the three factors (heating materials, husk layer thickness, and moisture levels) significantly affected the soil CO₂ emission rates. By optimally configuring these factors, CO₂ emissions can be regulated. This study recommends using wheat ash or straw cake as heating materials, combined with a 25 cm husk layer thickness, and moistening the soil to 15 cm before covering. This approach effectively reduces the peak and total soil CO₂ emissions while ensuring suitable soil temperatures for the growth of bamboo shoots in spring. This research provides a scientific basis for the environmental management of bamboo forests, aiding in the optimization of covering measures to achieve low-carbon and sustainable bamboo management. Full article

This study aimed to understand the phenological changes in the shoots of temperate bamboo Phyllostachys spp. grown in Hungary, with a focus on how these changes were influenced by local climatic conditions. Data collected over two years on shoot phenology were analyzed with weather variables, especially air temperature and soil temperature. Shoot emergence date, shoot numbers, and shooting period were recorded within and between Phyllostachys spp. The date of shooting was observed between May and July, and species started shooting in May the most, followed by June. Only one species, P. sulphurea, started shoot emergence in July. Shoot emergence started earlier in 2022 than in 2023 and ranged from 3 days to 27 days. Bamboo shoot phenology was strongly influenced by the air temperature and soil temperature each year. According to our regression analysis, the dates of shoot emergence were influenced by air temperature (r² = 0.819) in 2022 and 2023 (r² = 0.781), and soil temperature also influenced shoot emergence (r² = 0.956) in 2022 and 2023 (r² = 0.769). Sharp air temperature changes between the shooting season and the period before shooting were considered as the reasons for early shooting. The soil temperature in April before the start of shoot emergence was 8.15 °C, increasing to 14.1 °C during shooting time in May. Abrupt fluctuations of air temperature between the shoot emergence season and the month prior to shooting commencement determined early shooting or late shooting. The soil temperature had to reach 9 °C or above prior to shooting time, as this was found to be a critical temperature for shoot emergence in Phyllostachys bamboo taxa. Full article

Soil is the basis of bamboo growth and quality formation of bamboo shoots and has an important contribution to the sustainable development of agriculture. To this end, We studied the soil properties and microbial communities of Dendrocalamus brandisii by collecting twenty-one soil samples from its seven typical geographic provenances in Yunnan Province, China. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons were used to detect soil bacteria and predict bacterial functions using Tax4Fun. The results indicated that the soil bacterial diversity indices (ACE, Chao1, Simpson, and Shannon) were significantly different among different geographical provenances. The dominant bacterial groups at the phylum level in all seven regions were Proteobacteria (19.78~29.06%), Actinobacteria (13.53~30.01%), Chloroflexi (8.03~31.47%), and Acidobacteria (7.12~19.17%), with markedly different constitution proportions. Total phosphorus, available potassium, and pH were the main environmental factors affecting soil bacterial communities. There were significant differences in the secondary metabolic pathways and phenotypes of soil bacterial functions, exhibiting a diversity of functions. The geographical variables of the soil bacterial community in D. brandisii varied with spatial scales. Environmental factors such as available potassium (AK), pH, and total nitrogen (TN) have an impact on soil bacterial communities. Full article

Bamboo shoot processing wastewater (BBPW) is rich in organic matter and organic acids and can be used as a nutrient source for microbial growth and biofertilization. In this study, Pseudomonas K22-D and Terribacillus goriness CS3 were isolated from bamboo forest soil with plant growth-promoting properties. Biofertilizers were prepared by inoculating bacteria into BBPW, and the effects of their application in a bamboo forest were evaluated. The chemical oxygen demand, TOC, TN, and NH₄-N contents decreased after inoculation, indicating that the bacteria were able to degrade macromolecules in BBPW. The BBPW biofertilizer produced by mixed bacteria (CS3 + K22-D) significantly improved the soil organic carbon and mineral-associated organic carbon content and reduced the pH, alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium content of the soils in the bamboo forest, which might be attributed to the high C:N ratio and microbial synergism in the biofertilizer and the fast growth period of bamboo shoots. Notably, the CS3 biofertilizer significantly increased soil-available phosphorus (90.25%), and the K22-D biofertilizer significantly decreased soil-available phosphorus (70.33%) compared with CK, suggesting that the presence of inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria can promote soil P. We believe that the return of inoculated bamboo shoot processing wastewater to bamboo plantations can be an eco-friendly, sustainable practice for bamboo forest management. Full article

Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) is an economically viable bamboo species with rich nutrition, a good taste, and a high yield. However, heavy fertilization and covering cultivation are used to produce off-season bamboo shoots, resulting in soil degradation and a decline in site productivity. This study investigated how compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application affects soil properties and shoot yield in Lei bamboo plantations of subtropical China. The soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and shoot yield were examined, the bacterial community structure was determined using the high-throughput sequencing method, and their relationships were evaluated under different fertilization treatments: single compound fertilizer and compound fertilizer decrement with water-soluble humic acid fertilizer applications. Compared with those after single compound fertilizer treatments (CF1, CF2), water-soluble humic acid fertilizer addition (CF2HA1, CF2HA2) increased soil organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (AP), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents, the ratio of SOC to total nitrogen (C/N), and sucrase and acid phosphatase (Acp) activities, and decreased alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) contents. The bacterial community phyla comprised 83.62%–86.16% Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi. Water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application also significantly increased yields by over 30%. AP and MBN were important drivers affecting soil bacterial communities, whereas SOC, MBN, and Chloroflexi affected Lei bamboo shoots. Overall, compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application shifted the available soil nutrients, sucrase and Acp activity, bacterial community diversity, and shoot yield. An improved understanding of humic acid and the application of humic acid water-soluble fertilizer are of great significance for soil improvement, ecological restoration, and the sustainable management of bamboo forests in the future. Full article

Salt stress is detrimental to the survival of microorganisms, and only a few bacterial species produce hydrolytic enzymes. In this study, we investigated the expression of salt stress-related genes in the salt-tolerant bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis ACP81, isolated from bamboo shoot processing waste, at the transcription level. The results indicate that the strain could grow in 20% NaCl, and the sub-lethal concentration was 6% NaCl. Less neutral protease and higher cellulase and β-amylase activities were observed for B. subtilis ACP81 under sub-lethal concentrations than under the control concentration (0% NaCl). Transcriptome analysis showed that the strain adapted to high-salt conditions by upregulating the expression of genes involved in cellular processes (membrane synthesis) and defense systems (flagellar assembly, compatible solute transport, glucose metabolism, and the phosphotransferase system). Interestingly, genes encoding cellulase and β-amylase-related (malL, celB, and celC) were significantly upregulated and were involved in starch and sucrose metabolic pathways, and the accumulated glucose was effective in mitigating salt stress. RT-qPCR was performed to confirm the sequencing data. This study emphasizes that, under salt stress conditions, ACP81 exhibits enhanced cellulase and β-amylase activities, providing an important germplasm resource for saline soil reclamation and enzyme development. Full article