Rhizome Characteristics and Its Age Structure in Phyllostachys edulis Forests under Different Management Types

Under three different management types of Phyllostachys edulis stands in Zhejiang Province,the characteristics of bamboo rhizomes and their age structure were investigated. The results showed that the rhizome length,diameter and internode length in the shoot-wood dual-use bamboo forest (Class Ⅱ) were greater than those in shoot oriented bamboo forest (Class Ⅰ) and wood oriented bamboo forest (Class Ⅲ). Class Ⅰ had the largest number of rhizomes and the smallest biomass. In terms of age structure,in Class Ⅰ Phyllostachys edulis stands,the largest rhizome length,number and the biomass were found in the 3-4 years old rhizomes,while in class Ⅱ and Class Ⅲ bamboo stands reached the maximum in the 5-6 years old rhizomes. Compared with class I and Class Ⅱ,the rhizome length,number and biomass of class Ⅲ showed a large proportion until 7-8 years old,the proportion of 3-4 years old was relatively low. However,the diameter and internode length of rhizomes showed no significant difference in various ages under the three management types.