Variation of the Phytolith Content and Morphology of Dendrocalamus giganteus at Different Phenological Periods

In order to investigate the variation of phytolith content and morphotypes in Dendrocalamus giganteus at different phenological stages, the silicon and phytolith contents in branches and leaves of D. giganteus at different phenological stages were analyzed, and the phytoliths were observed and identified under microscope. The results showed the silicon content in D. giganteus branches at different phenological stages varied in the order of dormant stage(2.94%) > branching and leaf extension stage(3.08%) > shooting stage(3.24%) > end of shooting stage(4.14%). The phytolith content was the highest at the end of shooting stage(38600 /g) and the lowest at the dormant stage(29426 /g). The main phytolith morphotypes in branches were rectangular and elongate. The content of silicon in D. giganteus leaves at different phenological periods varied in the order of bamboo shoot stage(8.12%) > branching and leaf-developing(8.14%) > dormant stage(8.34%) > end of bamboo shoots stage(8.48%), and phytolith content was the highest at the end of shooting stage(363333/g) and lowest at branching and leaf extension stage(310800 /g). The main phytolith morphotypes in leaves were saddle and dumbbell. The variation of phytolith content and morphotypes in D. giganteus were closely related to the changes of growth and phenological period. The phytolith content increased continuously from the branching and branching and leaf extension stage to the end of shooting stage. After entering the dormant stage, the content of phytolith decreased.