Histo-anatomical and bio-chemical study of Dendrocalamus brandisii (Munro) Kurz before, during and after flowering

Histo-chemical and bio-chemical changes associated with all the stages of flowering of Dendrocalamus brandisii have been studied. Starch distribution along and across the culm-wall was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively using standard methods. The average starch content varies significantly among the different stages of the culm. The average starch content was lowest in after-flowering culms (3.5%) followed by during flowering culms (7.8%) and maximum in non-flowered bamboo (10.8%). Further it is seen that the starch content also vary long the culm height. High concentration of starch was observed towards the top in before-flowering culms, while the distribution of starch was found to be uniform along the culm height in during-flowering culms. However, in after-flowered culms, comparatively more starch granules were observed in the middle of the culms and very traces were observed both in base and top portion of the culms. Although there was variation in the starch content along the culm heights, these variations were not statistically significant. Histo-chemical and bio-chemical studies on bamboo culms indicate that the starch content of D. brandisii culms depletes after flowering. It was also observed that culms with less starch content (after flowering culms) were more resistant towards powder post beetle attack.