Seed germination and seedling growth in the arrow bamboo Fargesia qinlingensis

Improving natural regeneration of bamboos after they die following mass flowering is critical for conservation of giant pandas. However, little is known about factors that affect seed germination and seedling growth of bamboos. We studied seed germination and seedling growth in Fargesia qinlingensis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecological research 2007-05, Vol.22 (3), p.467-474
Main Authors: Wang, Wei, Franklin, Scott B, Cirtain, Margaret C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bamboo
Biomass
Fargesia qinlingensis
Forest ecosystems
Germination
Leaves
Light
Mountains
Nitrogen
Regeneration
Seed collection
Seed germination
Seedlings
Seeds
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Summary:Improving natural regeneration of bamboos after they die following mass flowering is critical for conservation of giant pandas. However, little is known about factors that affect seed germination and seedling growth of bamboos. We studied seed germination and seedling growth in Fargesia qinlingensis, which mass flowered in a giant panda habitat in the Qinling Mountains of China in early 2000, in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Seed germination rate was tested under light and dark conditions 5 and 12 months after seed collection. Germination rate displayed no significant difference under light or dark conditions 5 months after seed collection, but was significantly greater in the dark than under light 12 months after seed collection, suggesting light inhibition of seed germination. A 2x2 factorial design was conducted to test the effects of nitrogen (N fertilization and non-N fertilization) and light [full sun and shade (i.e., 14% full sun)] on seedling growth and biomass allocation. N fertilization significantly increased seedling growth, resulting in greater seedling height, more branches, more leaves, greater stem biomass, and greater leaf biomass. Seedlings under 14% full sun conditions had a significantly lower percentage of biomass allocated to the stem. The root/shoot ratio was significantly greater in non-N/shade than non-N/full sun, while there was no significant difference in this ratio between N/shade and N/full sun, suggesting that nitrogen fertilization compensated for the effect of shade on biomass allocation. Our results suggest that N fertilization could be employed in restoration of F. qinlingensis stands after die-off following mass flowering.
ISSN:0912-3814
1440-1703
DOI:10.1007/s11284-006-0027-7