【Objective】With the increasing environmental awareness driven by the severe pollution caused by plastic products, this study aims to understand the current research status and advantages of “replacing plastic with bamboo”. It also seeks to clarify the challenges faced in the efficient cultivation of bamboo resources, guide research institutions and enterprises to focus on key technical issues, increase research investment, promote innovation in bamboo cultivation technologies, improve the utilization efficiency of bamboo resources, and enhance the competitiveness of the bamboo industry.【Method】Relevant literatures on “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic” and “Bamboo resources” from the past 15 years (2010-2024) were retrieved from the CNKI and Web of Science Core Collection databases. VOSviewer was used to conduct a visual analysis of the types of bamboo species and research topics currently studied. In addition, a combination of questionnaire surveys and on-site enterprise investigations was employed to identify current issues and challenges in the efficient cultivation and utilization of bamboo in major bamboo-producing areas, based on China’s bamboo resources and industrial advantages.【Result】Over the past 15 years, research on “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic” and “Bamboo resources” has shown a booming trend, with a significant increase in the number of published papers. Research hotspots mainly focus on the biological characteristics of bamboo, as well as the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of bamboo materials. This article also summarized the advantages of using bamboo as a plastic substitute and highlighted the existing problems in the efficient cultivation of bamboo resources. Suggestions for the future development direction of bamboo resource cultivation were also proposed.【Conclusion】In the future, efforts should be made to build bamboo germplasm resource repositories and cultivate high-value bamboo species for “Bamboo as a substitute for plastic”. Focus should be placed on transforming low-yield and low-efficiency bamboo forests, and establishing high-standard bamboo forest demonstration areas based on local conditions. Scientific planning and improvement of infrastructure—such as roads, water storage, and irrigation systems—in bamboo forests are essential. Additionally, it is necessary to innovate high-quality raw material supply chains and adopt advanced management models for bamboo forests. These initiatives will play an important role in promoting ecological civilization, driving social and economic development, implementing the rural revitalization strategy, and achieving the goals of “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”.
【Objective】Internode length is a crucial trait for bamboo industrial utilization. Pseudosasa japonica var. tsutsumiana is a stable dwarf mutant of P. japonica, characterized by shortened, flask-shaped internodes, making it an ideal material for studying internode growth in bamboos. Preliminary studies identified the GRAS transcription factor PjGRAS56 as a key candidate gene responsible for the shortened internode formation in P. japonica var. tsutsumianais. This study aims to elucidate the potential role of PjGRAS56 in bamboo internode development.【Method】We employed bioinformatics to analyze the sequence features of PjGRAS56, confocal laser scanning microscopy to observe its subcellular localization, a yeast transcription system to assess its transcriptional activation activity, transgenic techniques in rice and Arabidopsis to analyze phenotypes of PjGRAS56-overexpressing plants, transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR to examine gene expression changes, and hand-sectioning to measure internode cell length.【Result】PjGRAS56 localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm, and lacked transcriptional activation activity. It was significantly down-regulated in the division zone of P. japonica var. tsutsumianais internodes. Overexpression of PjGRAS56 in rice resulted in dwarfism, shortened internodes, reduced tillering, shorter panicles and awns, fewer grains, and reduced leaf angle; overexpression of it in Arabidopsis led to smaller leaves and shorter flower stalks. Although the cell length in internodes of PjGRAS56-overexpressing plants was similar to controls, the cell number was significantly reduced. Transcriptome sequencing and differential gene expression analysis revealed significant down-regulation of cell division-related genes in PjGRAS56-overexpressing plants.【Conclusion】PjGRAS56 is a putative negative regulator of internode growth in bamboo.
【Objective】Bambusa multiplex has sympodial tufted rhizomes and is widely distributed in subtropical bamboo regions of China, with good adaptability and cold tolerance. Analyzing the morphological characteristics of its fiber growth provides a basis for the rational utilization and in-depth study of bamboo fiber resources.【Method】Using shoots and culms of B. multiplex as materials, fiber traits were detected by a fiber analyzer after fiber separation by the Franklin method, and the relationship between internodal length and fiber traits was analyzed by One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation (PCR).【Result】Fiber traits in the 2nd to 4th internodes of B. multiplex shoots showed no significant differences, making them suitable test materials for fiber growth research. Under different growth lengths of the 2nd to 4th internodes in shoots, three traits—fiber length, ratio of fiber length to width and kink rate—exhibited normal distributions. Bamboo shoots fiber length (y1) and ratio of fiber length to width (y2) were extremely significantly positively correlated with shoot internode length (x1), respectively. Their regression equations with internode length were: y1 = 0.347 ln x1 + 0.622, y2 = 0.004 x13- 0.282 x12 +8.773 6 x1 + 23.601.In culms, five traits—internode length, fiber length, fiber width, ratio of fiber length to width, and kink angle—showed extremely significant differences among the 1st to 13th internodes. The first four traits increased and then decreased with increasing internode number, while the last trait showed a fluctuating upward trend. Internode length, fiber length, and ratio of fiber length to width reached their maximum values at the 6th internode, measuring (46.35±6.44) cm, (2.55±0.05) mm, and 174.81±4.40, respectively. Fiber length and ratio of fiber length to width in the 2nd internode [(2.31±0.07) mm and (161.38±4.39)] were closest to the whole-culm averages [(2.31±0.03) mm and (161.18±0.06)].In culms, three traits—fiber length, kink index, and kink rate—showed normal distributions. Bamboo culms fiber length (y3) was extremely significantly positively correlated with culm internode length(x2), described by the regression equation: y3= 0.857 x20.28. Traits such as whole-culm fiber length were not strongly correlated with culm age. For one-four-year-old B. multiplex culms, the average whole-culm fiber length, fiber width, ratio of fiber length to width, mean curl degree, kink index, kink rate, kink angle, and fine fiber index were (2.31±0.03) mm, (14.34±0.05) μm, 161.18±0.06, (4.13±0.11)%, (200.30±4.97)%, (275.78±6.53)%, (24.95±0.05)°, and (86.85±0.38)%, respectively.【Conclusion】The stable fiber traits in the 2nd to 4th internodes of B. multiplex shoots make them suitable for future research. The correlation between fiber traits and internode length aids in exploring the mechanisms of fiber development in bamboo shoots. Significant differences in fiber traits among culm internodes reflect the dynamic process of fiber development. The significant positive correlation between fiber length and internode length, along with the weak correlation between whole-culm fiber traits and culm age, indicate that bamboo fiber growth follows unique laws influenced by multiple factors.
【Objective】This study aimed to examine the dynamic characteristics of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) stands subjected to strip-shaped clear-cutting and to provide insights into the development of appropriate scientific management strategies for moso bamboo forests.【Method】A strip-shaped clear-cutting experiment was conducted in pure moso bamboo stands within the Forest Farm of Yixing, Jiangsu Province. The size of strip-shaped clear-cutting plots (SC) is 20 m×8 m for each. In addition, three reserved plots (RB) of the same dimensions were positioned on both sides of the clear-cutting plots. For comparison, three 20 m ×20 m control plots (CK) were set up under traditional management practices. The study investigated the dynamics of moso bamboo shoot development, the growth of new bamboo, and changes in soil nutrient content across the different treatment plots over five years following the strip-shaped clear-cutting. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess the relationship between soil nutrient factors and stand characteristics.【Result】(1) In the first year following clear-cutting, the number of bamboo shoots in the SC plots increased by 71.17% compared with RB and by 62.21% compared to CK, while the number of new bamboo grew by 38.97% in SC relative to RB and 55.07% relative to CK. (2) In the first year, the mean diameter at breast height (DBH), mean height to crown base (CBH), and mean height (H) of new bamboo in SC were significantly lower than those in CK (P<0.05). By the fifth year after clear-cutting, the DBH, CBH, and H of new bamboo in SC surpassed those in CK, with a significant increase in CBH (P<0.05). (3) Strip-shaped clear-cutting significantly reduced the total soil nutrient content in SC plots (P<0.05), while enhancing the content of quick-acting nutrients in both SC and RB plots; however, these differences were not statistically significant. The soil organic carbon content in SC was lower than in CK and RB, although the difference was not significant. By the fifth year after clear-cutting, there was no significant difference in soil nutrient content between SC and RB when compared to CK. (4) Correlation analysis revealed a highly significant negative relationship between the number of shoots in SC and the soil’s alkaline nitrogen (AN) and quick-acting potassium (AP) content (P<0.01). Similary, the number of new bamboo exhibited significant negative correlations with both soil AN and AP content (P<0.05). Conversely, the quality characteristics of the new bamboo were significantly positively correlated with soil total potassium content (P<0.05).【Conclusion】Strip-shaped clear-cutting enhances bamboo shoot density and the formation of new bamboo in moso bamboo forests but negatively impacts the quality of new bamboo. It leads to a reduction in total soil nutrient levels and an increase in quick-acting nutrients. As the bamboo stands recover, the quality of the new bamboo gradually improves, and soil fertility is restored. By the fifth year after clear-cutting, the stand characteristics of the moso bamboo forest in the SC plots return to levels similar to those in the CK plots.
【Objective】Rapid industrialization and urbanization under climate change have intensified atmospheric pollution across many regions of China. Ozone(O3), a phytotoxic secondary pollutant with increasing concentrations, has become a major summer time air pollutant in urban areas, posing serious threats to ecological security. Leaves of different ages may exhibit varying sensitivity or responses to atmospheric ozone (O3) pollution, and the physiological mechanisms underlying age-related differences in photosynthetic responses remain to be fully elucidated. This is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the response mechanisms of bamboo species to atmospheric O3 pollution. This study investigated the effects of elevated O3 concentration(eO3) on the urban landscaping bamboo species Indocalamus decorus to assess whether leaf age influences the O3 resistance of I. decorus, and to elucidate the mechanistic links between chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and photosynthetic impairment.【Method】Nine open-top chambers (OTCs) were established with three O3 treatments in a suburban area of Changping District, Beijing. The OTCs, constructed with aluminum alloy frames and covered with 10 mm thick transparent plastic film (90% light transmittance), were 2.5 m in height and 2 m in diameter, with a ground area of 3.14 m2 and spaced 2 m apart. I. decorus, a small evergreen ornamental bamboo with significant economic value in China and broad applications as a sustainable “bamboo-as-plastic” substitute, was selected as the study species. It is commonly used in food packaging, temporary shelters, boat canopies, hat weaving, and textile manufacturing. Rhizomes of uniform age (five years), color, and thickness were selected, and 10 cm segments with consistent length and bud number were propagated. After one year, uniform seedlings were transplanted for the experiment. During the growing season, chlorophyll content, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in both mature and newly emerged leaves. In view of rising O3 levels in Beijing and the known O3 tolerance of I. decorus, the O3 treatments included ambient air (AA), AA + 70 ×10-9 O3 (AA+70), and AA + 140 ×10-9 O3 (AA+140). O3 fumigation was conducted daily from 8:30 to 17:30 (9 h), starting on June 1st and ending on October 12th.【Result】(1) SPAD values of old and new leaves exhibited contrasting responses to O3. Under AA+70 and AA+140 treatments, SPAD values of old leaves decreased by 10.5% and 7.8%, respectively (P<0.05), whereas SPAD values of new leaves increased by 6.3% under AA+140. A significant interaction between eO3 and leaf age was observed, with eO3 amplifying SPAD differences between leaf ages. (2) eO3 significantly reduced the maximum photosynthetic rate (Asat) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of older leaves under saturating light, but had no significant effects on younger leaves. The photosynthetic decline in older leaves was primarily attributed to non-stomatal limitations.(3) eO3 significantly decreased the actual quantum yield of PSⅡ (ΦPSⅡ), quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation (PhiCO2), and electron transport rate (ETR) in both young and old leaves, with more pronounced reductions in older leaves. Additionally, eO3 reduced both photochemical quenching (qP) in young leaves. A significant interaction between eO3 and leaf age on PhiCO2 was observed, indicating that eO3 exacerbated the differences between young and old leaves.【Conclusion】Elevated O3 concentration induces chlorophyll degradation and PSⅡ photodamage in mature leaves, suppressing light reactions (reduced ΦPSⅡ) and electron transport (lowered ETR), thereby impairing photosynthesis. In contrast, new leaves exhibit compensatory mechanisms: preferential allocation of resources (e.g., photoassimilates and antioxidants) helps stabilize chlorophyll content and maintain Asat, sustaining overall photosynthetic performance. This leaf-age-dependent resource allocation strategy—prioritizing younger leaves—enhances population-level O3 tolerance in I. decorus, underscoring its ecological adaptability and reinforcing its potential as a sustainable “bamboo-based plastic alternative”. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of O3 on chlorophyll fluorescence dynamics to better understand photosynthetic acclimation. This study provides precise data and theoretical support for understanding the impacts of air pollution on bamboo growth, offers a scientific foundation for the development of eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo industries, and contributes predictive insights into the effects of future climate change on urban green vegetation.
