Rhizome assemblies and clump form and growth of nine arboretum
grown bamboo species have been studied. Rhizome stalk has been
found to play an important role in determining the form, shape and
growth of clumps. This is due to not only the characteristic length
of the stalk in some species but also its role in orienting the rhizome
in relation to the centre of the clump and the mother culm in general
and the line of gravity in particular. In areas where bamboos are
worked heavily it is the rhizome stalk that is first affected and may
result in congested clumps in species otherwise monopodial or
loosely tufted.
Rhizomes are commonly attacked by pathogenic soil
ganisms, Parts like rhizome stalks, whole
bud of the rhizome may be partly or wholly consumed or otherwise
become inoperative and although these parts contribute to (he •• development
of rhizome assembly they do not contribute towards the growth
of clump. This reduces the rate of growth of clumps considerably.
Irrespective of species, only 8 percent of the buds develop into
normal culms, 77 percent remaining dormant and 15 percent are damaged
by pathogenic soil mlcrooganisms. It has been concluded tha- application
of antipathogens individually or in combination with fertilizer will
ameliorate the conditions of growth and considerably increase the
outturn.