Rapid growth of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Cellular roadmaps, transcriptome dynamics, and environmental factors

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shows remarkably rapid growth (114.5 cm/day), but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. After examining more than 12,750 internodes from more than 510 culms from 17 Moso populations, we identified internode 18 as a representative internode for rapid growth. This internode includes a 2-cm cell division zone (DZ), a cell elongation zone up to 12 cm, and a secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening zone. These zones elongated 11.8 cm, produced approximately 570,000,000 cells, and deposited similar to 28 mg g(-1) dry weight (DW) lignin and similar to 44 mg g(-1) DW cellulose daily, far exceeding vegetative growth observed in other plants. We used anatomical, mathematical, physiological, and genomic data to characterize development and transcriptional networks during rapid growth in internode 18. Our results suggest that (1) gibberellin may directly trigger the rapid growth of Moso shoots, (2) decreased cytokinin and increased auxin accumulation may trigger cell DZ elongation, and (3) abscisic acid and mechanical pressure may stimulate rapid SCW thickening via MYB83L. We conclude that internode length involves a possible tradeoff mediated by mechanical pressure caused by rapid growth, possibly influenced by environmental temperature and regulated by genes related to cell division and elongation. Our results provide insight into the rapid growth of Moso bamboo. Using a representative fast-growing internode, we decipher the developmental roadmaps, transcriptional networks, and environmental factors associated with the rapid growth of the Moso bamboo shoot.

Automated summary

The rapid growth of Moso bamboo is associated with cell division and elongation, gibberellin, cytokinin, auxin, abscisic acid, and mechanical pressure. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the rapid growth of Moso bamboo.