CHANGES IN CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION WITHIN AN INTERNODE OF ELONGATING BAMBOO

Internodal growth of bamboo was characterized by analyzing chemical co mposition, X-ray diffraction and CP/MAS solid state C-13-NMR. When the longest (17th) internode of an 6m-high immature moso-bamboo (Phyllost achys pubescens Mazel), 29.8cm in length, was sliced into 28 rings and subjected to the analyses, growth of bamboo was concluded to occur up ward from the secondary meristem localized at 1.06-2.13 cm above the n ode. CP/MAS solid state C-13-NMR proved to be useful in a rapid determ ination of the exact position of the secondary meristem.