Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the anatomical characteristics, the radial and axial variation of the cell dimension and bulk density for four bamboo species used as the major material of bamboo products in Korea; Phyllostachys(P.bambusoides, P.edulis, P.nigra var.henonis, and Pnigra). The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) In the outer part of culm, the mophological difference of cell diameter and distribution were not acknowledged. However, gum-like substance was occurred In the epidermis, hypodermis, cortex and metaxylem vessel of P.nigra, while it was occured only in the metaxylem vessel of P.edulis. 2) The protoxylem vessel in the central zone of culm-wall could be in the two types; the first type consisted of 4-5 small cell pieces occurred in P.edulis and P.nigra var. henonis, the second type of 1-2 large cell pieces in P.bambusoides and P.nigra. And transition of cell diameter from the vascular bundle sheath to the ground tissue was gradually enlarged in P.nigra and P.edulis but abruptly in P.bambusoides and P.nigra var. henonis. 3) Thin-wall tyloses were well developed in the outer and central zone of culm-wall in four species. 4) Compared with the central part of culm-wall, the number of parenchyma cells and the amount of the vascular bundle sheaths per unit area were a few in the inner part. The inner part nearest to the pith cavity was consisted of thick-well parenchyma cell. 5) The dimensional variations of metaxylem vessel and parenchyma cell in the radial direction were decreased from the inner part to the epidermis in all species observed. 6) The fiber length was the maximum in the central zone and its diameter was increased from the inner part to the outer part. In the axial variation. fiber length was slightly increased from the base and then decresed slowly toward the top, and its diameter was reverse. 7) The axial variation of the bulk density was continuously increased from the base toward the top and its radial variation was rapidly increased from the inner part to the epidermis.

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