The economic importance of the bamboo cultivation in Asia is well known, but the recent rise of interest in Europe required more deep studies on growing techniques. Among the bamboo species, the Phyllostachis pubescens (Carriere) J. Houz. is appreciated for its multiple uses: landscaping, timber and shoots production. In order to identify the best and sustainable combination of substrates and fertilization regimes, a nursery experimental trial was performed in 2016. Eight treatments (four substrates and two fertilization regimes) with 256 young plantlets divided into four randomized blocks were evaluated. The substrates were: 40% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% pumice (standard substrate, S1); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 10% rice husk, 20% pumice (S2); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% rice husk, 10% pumice (S3); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% wood fibers, 10% pumice (S4). The two fertilization regimes were: 1.6 g l^-1 (A) and 0.8 g l^-1 (B) NPK (16-11-10) Osmocote Exact®. All substrates were added with a fungal inoculum (2.5 g l^-1) and were corrected with 2.5 x 10^-3 g l^-1 of CaCo₃. The number of culms and leaves and the SPAD values of six plants for each blocks were monthly measured. Fresh and dry weights, before and after cultivation were determined. Data were statistically analysed. Results showed that rice husk can be used only in low percentage, but wood fiber can be suitable for bamboo cultivation. The combination of new materials and low fertilization regimes (S1_B and S4_B) should be the key for a more sustainable cultivation for potted Phyllostachis pubescens in Europe.

 

 

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This abstract was accepted to be presented at the conference entitled “40 Years of Horticulture Education in Cluj-Napoca†Cluj-Napoca, September 27, 2017, being included in ‘Book of Abstracts’ of this special-anniversary event (http://conference.shst.ro). All accepted papers will be published in a special issue of Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca journal.