Ageing of bamboo culms. A review

Properties and utilization of bamboos are influenced by structural changes due to ageing. During the few months growth' of a culm only minor anatomical changes result in the meristematic tissue within one internode and along the culm length. Culms originating from a seedling or rhizome cutting show in subsequent years an age-related development until their full size is attained. The life cycle of an individual culm is of special interest. Investigations of culms up to the age of 12 years from Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens have shown definite anatomical changes during the maturation period, but also in later years. They appear as a cell wall thickening of the fibres. Tyloses and depositions in vessels and sieve tubes develop as age-related factors.