Articles
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF BAMBOOS AROUND THE WORLD
Article number
1003_12
Pages
97 – 106
Language
English
Abstract
There are about 1250 species of bamboos belonging to 75 genera, growing mostly in the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
They vary in growth rate and biomass accumulation, growth habit, culm thickness and internode length, and also the fibre length and silica content.
This large variation implies in a wide range of uses, from construction to weaving, charcoal-making to food, riverbank stabilization to ornamentals, etc.
Selection of particular species for particular uses has been practiced for millennia, contributing to the development of many cultures and livelihoods.
Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for bamboos with specific characteristics.
Tools such as INBARs species-to-site matching software have helped greater international germplasm exchange, and the establishment of collections and commercial bamboo forests alike.
Selection and mass multiplication of elite clones are now often practiced.
Hybridization of different species, even of species in different genera has shown the potential of new hybrids to break into existing commercial markets.
However, further studies are needed to select best candidates for hybridization, and more work is needed on inter- and intra-specific and -generic compatibility.
They vary in growth rate and biomass accumulation, growth habit, culm thickness and internode length, and also the fibre length and silica content.
This large variation implies in a wide range of uses, from construction to weaving, charcoal-making to food, riverbank stabilization to ornamentals, etc.
Selection of particular species for particular uses has been practiced for millennia, contributing to the development of many cultures and livelihoods.
Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for bamboos with specific characteristics.
Tools such as INBARs species-to-site matching software have helped greater international germplasm exchange, and the establishment of collections and commercial bamboo forests alike.
Selection and mass multiplication of elite clones are now often practiced.
Hybridization of different species, even of species in different genera has shown the potential of new hybrids to break into existing commercial markets.
However, further studies are needed to select best candidates for hybridization, and more work is needed on inter- and intra-specific and -generic compatibility.
Authors
J.C. Hoogendoorn, Lou Yiping, Fu Jinhe, Li Yanxia, A. Benton
Keywords
selection, breeding, genetics, hybrid, cultivar, germplasm
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