Morphology and nutrient content of bamboo rhizomes: Responses to enclosure succession in a Phyllostachys edulis forest in Wuyi Mountains, China

Enclosure succession significantly enhances bamboo rhizome growth and nutrient content in Phyllostachys edulis forests of Mount Wuyi, China, with optimal conditions observed after 6 years. The study found that rhizome number, flagella count, weak buds, and bifurcated rhizomes peaked at this stage, while rhizome length, weight, and bamboo shoot buds were highest after 4 years. Nutrient analysis revealed that total nitrogen was highest without enclosure, while phosphorus, potassium, and soluble sugars peaked after 41 years. Organic carbon followed a similar trend to rhizome growth, peaking after 6 years. The research suggests that enclosure measures optimize rhizome structure but should not exceed a certain threshold to maintain growth efficiency.

Cai, X., Cheng, R., Chen, Z., Lin, J., Wu, M., Liu, J., Xiao, J., Lin, Y., Chen, L., Zhang, Y., Rong, J., He, T., Chen, L., Ye, J., & Zheng, Y. (2025). Morphology and nutrient content of bamboo rhizomes: Responses to enclosure succession in a Phyllostachys edulis forest in Wuyi Mountains, China. Forest Ecology and Management, 595, 122928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122928