Spatial and Age Related Effects on Morphology and Hydraulic Conductivity of
Gigantochloa scortechinii
Abstract: This study aims to indicate the site species suitability, either species allocation
strategies is to survive by structural modification on theirs characteristics, or to maintain
theirs characteristics without prioritizing survivability especially when a wild grown wood
or non-wood species is chosen for a monoculture plantation. In this study, Gigantochloa
scortechinii, one of the bamboo species listed under non-timber commercial plantation
species by Malaysian Timber Industry Board was selected to investigate the spatial and
age-related effects on morphological and physiological attributes. Subterranean part
(rhizome) was considered because it is the most important part for bamboo stands.
Destructive sampling was done by using a random sampling method on four consecutive
rhizome from healthy clumps and was conducted at two natural forests and one
secondary forest (planted). Morphological characteristics of culms and rhizomes, and
hydraulic conductivity of rhizome were measured. The results showed that categorical
variables and hydraulic conductivity were significantly affected by age, while numerical
variable were significantly affected by spatial factor. A regression model were also
developed and discussed.
Key words: Spatial, age-related, morphology, hydraulic conductivity, bamboo