POSITIONING OF NEW SHOOTS RELATIVE TO ADULT SHOOTS IN GROVES OF GIANTBAMBOO, PHYLLOSTACHYS PUBESCENS

The distribution of new shoots relative to adult shoots was examined i n 10 permanent plots of 12 x 12 m in groves of the rhizomatous giant b amboo Phyllostachys pubescens at the Nature Reserve of Jinyun Mountain , Chongqing, China, during 1994-1996. The distribution of new shoots w as not dependent on the positions of all adult shoots. However, new sh oots emerging in even years were significantly clumped at a distance o f 1-2 m relative to adult shoots which had also emerged in even years, and randomly distributed relative to adult shoots which had emerged i n odd years, and vice versa. Tn view of the 2-year leaf life span of t his bamboo, this suggested that the distribution of new shoots was mai nly dependent on the positions of adult shoots bearing new (one-year-o ld) leaves, and independent on that of those bearing old (two-year-old ) leaves. In spite of the extensive rhizome system, carbohydrates for the new shoots seem to be derived mainly from the adult shoots. Theref ore, distance to an adult shoot with new (one-year-old) leaves of high photosynthetic capacity apparently is important for the recruitment o f a new shoot. Mortality of new shoots was found to be density-indepen dent.