AUTHOR=Li Juan , Chen Lei , Wang Jinge , Xu Junlei , Zheng Huifang , Bai Yucong , Cheng Zhanchao , Mu Shaohua , Gao Jian 

TITLE=Spatiotemporal dynamic changes in transpiration in the shoot sheath and its relation to water transportation during rapid growth of Moso bamboo

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Forests and Global Change

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1343206

DOI=10.3389/ffgc.2024.1343206

ISSN=2624-893X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Transpiration is the driving force of water transport, which plays a crucial role in the rapid growth of bamboo shoots. Nonetheless, the transpiration changes that occur in the shoot sheath of Moso bamboo during the leafless stage and the physiological processes involved in water transport from the mother bamboo to bamboo shoots are not completely understood.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This study investigated the temporal dynamics of the transpiration rate (<italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub>) and stomatal conductance (<italic>gs</italic>) of the sheaths from bamboo shoots to culms and diurnal variations in <italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub> and <italic>gs</italic> as well as the spatial dynamics of <italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub> and <italic>gs</italic> in various parts of the shoot sheaths. Water distribution patterns in bamboo shoots were analyzed using the isotope tracer method, and the water transportation path in bamboo shoots was determined by soaking the shoots in fuchsine dye solution.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>We observed that the <italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub> was higher in bamboo shoots at heights of 4 and 7 m compared to that at 0.5, 1, 2, and 13 m, with rates ranging from 6.8 mmol/m<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>1</sup> to 8.3 mmol/m<sup>2</sup>/s. Additionally, the <italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub> and <italic>gs</italic> of the shoot sheath were lower at noon, but higher in the morning and evening. The <italic>T</italic><sub>r</sub> in the lower parts of the culm sheath was higher than that that in the upper part (height: 0.5–4 m). However, when injected into the mother bamboo, D<sub>2</sub>O was not immediately transported to the shoots via the mother culms but was transported upward through the vascular bundle, with a larger vascular bundle near the pulp cavity transporting high volumes of water.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>These findings provide the foundation for further studies on the rapid growth of Moso bamboo and establish a theoretical basis for water management during its shoot developmental period.</p></sec>