Dynamics Of Bamboo's Below-ground System Based On Minirhizotron Technique

As one of the most important forest resources, bamboo forest is characterized with high economic value, ecological advantage and cultural implication. Bamboo's below ground system is composed of rhizome, basal part and root, and root is composed of basal root and rhizome root, as well as their branches. Monopodial bamboo's below ground system is a network with parts connected with each other, so comes to a large, complicated organic system. Bamboo's below ground system plays an irreplaceable role either for productivity enhancement or ecological improvement.Since bamboo's below ground system hide under the ground, it is difficult to survey or monitor it so the research is incomprehensive. Research method is one of the factors to constrain the development of the research on below ground system of bamboo, especially for the dynamics research, the traditional methods are of some defects.The invention and development of minirhizotron technique improved this a lot. It can monitor the root dynamics with the sample root intact, survey the sample repeatedly, periodically and extend to a long time. Minirhizotron technique avoids physical sampling so it has been recognized as a milestone in development of root research technique.Using minirhizotron technique, as well as other methods, taking as the research material the bamboo plantation in Miaoshanwu experimental forest center under Research Institute of Subtropical Forest, Chinese Academy of Forest, we conducted research on dynamics of initiation, growth and decomposition of rhizome and root of Phyllostachys pubescens. The characteristics of bamboo's below ground structure, the growth dynamics of rhizome and root of bamboo, as well as its relation with environmental factors and cultivation practice are clarified in this dissertation. We also determined the pattern of the production, turnover, and decomposition of bamboo's fine root. Such research will enrich and extend the scientific content in biology and ecology about bamboo below ground system. It can provide evidence for evaluating the role of bamboo below ground system in forest productivity and ecological functions. Meantime, the application of the minirhizotron in bamboo forest ecosystem is a...