Culm height development, biomass accumulation and carbon storage in an initial growth stage for a fast-growing moso bamboo (Phyllostachy pubescens)

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to predict culm height development and to evaluate biomass accumulation and carbon storage in the initial growth stage of moso bamboos (Phyllostachys pubescens). A total of 30 bamboos were sampled based on their diameter at breast height (DBH). I predicted the culm heights daily based on the Richards growth function for these bamboo samples. After they reached their maximum heights, the biomass and carbon storage were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that the Richards function accurately simulated the height growth of bamboos and that the growth potential of culm heights increased with increasing DBH classes. In contrast, the time when the maximum growth rate occurred (t (max)) appeared to not be influenced by DBH classes and was close to 20 days for all DBH classes. The culms arrived at their maximum heights in about 40 days regardless of DBH class. In addition, astonishing biomass accumulation and carbon storage was found during this period, and the aboveground biomass and carbon storage were predicted to be 3.44–17.33 and 1.58–8.04 kg culm(−1) for moso bamboos, respectively. The allometric model was used to predict the relationships between DBH and aboveground biomass in this stage. CONCLUSIONS: I compared the biomass accumulation between this stage and the entire yield period (5 years) and found that the bamboos accumulated three-fourths of their biomass for the entire yield period in only 40 days. This revealed that biomass accumulation and carbon storage mainly occurs in the initial growth stage for individual moso bamboos.