Standardization of Vegetative Propagation Through Rhizome Cuttings in Phyllostachys pubescens.

Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso bamboo) is a large monopodial bamboo species, naturally distributed in China and cultivated in neighboring countries. Seed availability of the P. pubescens is limited due to its long gregarious flowering cycle. Hence, developing nursery techniques from rhizome cuttings is necessary to fulfill the demand for Moso bamboo plantlets. A randomized block design nursery experiment was conducted with rhizomes which were 2-3 years old, healthy, fresh, not damaged, and have roots. Logistic regression model was used to compare the effect of various treatments and rhizomes lengths. Out of 720 rhizomes, 178 were sprouted (24%). Sprouting probability of rhizome bud was high in treatment T2 (50% rice husk + 50% straw dust) followed by treatment T4 (50% cocopeat + 50% wood dust). The treatment T3 (25% cocopeat + 25% wood dust + 25% rice husk + 25% straw dust) had more negative effects than control treatment. Similarly, sprouting probability was higher when rhizomes with 15 nodes were used for propagation followed those with 10 nodes and 5 nodes. The overall accuracy of the model was 83.9 percent. Results of the study revealed that rhizome cuttings can be used effectively for the production of P. pubescens plantlets in nurseries when there is scarcity of seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]