2024 Volume 23 Issue 4 Pages 135-151
Bamboo species, known for their longevity and monocarpic life cycles, require extensive long-term experiments to gain a comprehensive understanding of their biology. In Japan, since the 1930s, one cultivation experiment has specifically targeted moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis, also known as Ph. pubescens). This study presents a comprehensive compilation of nearly a century's worth of cultivation records and ecological data derived from literature reviews, interviews, and field investigations. Conducted across 11 different sites, field trials revealed that the first generation of seedlings flowered simultaneously approximately 67 years after germination. The second generation is currently maintained in nine locations, and some with significantly shortened flowering timings have also been observed. The study also addresses key future challenges such as lineage preservation, updating and sharing information, and re-considering research questions.
