Response of clonal growth in Phyllostachys praecox f. prevernalis to changing light intensity

Abstract

The morphological plasticity and biomass allocation pattern of clones of Phyllostachys praecox f. prevernalis were studied at four light intensities of 100, 70, 50 and 30% of sunlight. The results showed that ramet number and total biomass of clones were positively linearly correlated with light intensity. Under different light intensities, total rhizome length of clones and length of spacers were significantly different, indicating that rhizome and spacer both had considerable morphological plasticity. Internode length and branching angle did not differ significantly among different treatments. Under the lowest light intensity, the clone invested more biomass to aerial shoot production. The adaptation strategy of clone in P. praecox f. prevernalis for light is also discussed.