Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to identify key environmental factors influencing the internode length of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), so as to provide a theoretical basis for targeted cultivation of superior bamboo germplasm with long-internodes. Method: Based on the distribution of moso bamboo resources in China, survey sites were established using a 150 km×150 km latitude-longitude grid. Regression analysis was employed to reveal the effects of geographic, climatic, topographic, and soil factors on internode length, and key environmental factors were screened using regularization methods. Result: 1) The internode length at 1.5 m of moso bamboo in China ranged from 17 cm to 34 cm, with an average of (24.39±2.86) cm and a coefficient of variation of 11.72%. 2) Internode length was negatively correlated with longitude, annual average temperature, annual average precipitation, annual average sunshine duration, slope, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and positively correlated with latitude, elevation, and pH, with correlations reaching a significant level (P<0.01). For every 1° increase in longitude, internode length decreased by 0.6 cm, for every 1° increase in latitude, internode length increased by 0.33 cm, for every 1 °C increase in temperature, internode length decreased by 0.48 cm, for every 100 mm increase in annual precipitation, internode length decreased by 0.18 cm, and for every 100 h increase in sunshine duration, internode length decreased by 0.13 cm. 3) Climate factors, topographic factors, and soil factors explained 24.52% of the total variance in internode length. Among them, climate factors contributed 8%, the interaction between climate and soil contributed 5.28%, and topographic factors contributed 4.58%. 4) Based on latitude and longitude geographic coordinates with exponential spatial correlation, the environmental factors influencing moso bamboo internode length were identified as precipitation in the coldest month and slope. Conclusion: The length of moso bamboo internodes is primarily influenced by a combination of climatic and topographical factors, with the key environmental factors being precipitation during the coldest month and slope gradient. The targeted cultivation of long-internode moso bamboo forests requires comprehensive consideration of regional climatic conditions to ensure proper management of environmental conditions during critical growth periods.

Key words: moso bamboo, internode length, geographic differentiation, climatic factors, topographic factors