Comparative Histochemical and Anatomical Studies of three Bambusa taxa

Research Article

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2025.v2.i3.2

Keywords:

Anatomy, Bambusa sp., Histochemistry, Paper, Pulp

Abstract

India's rich diversity of bamboo species plays a key role in the global bamboo industry. Bamboo is ecologically and economically important to the nation's development and has been used in construction and as a raw material for various industries. The present study investigates the anatomical, histochemical, and fiber properties beneficial for pulp and paper industries of three taxa, viz., Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. var. striata (Lodd. ex Lindl.) Gamble, B. wamin E.G. Camus, and B. vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl. The three taxa exhibited anatomical (viz., vascular bundle) and histochemical (viz., starch deposition) differences. The presence of thick-walled spindle-like parenchymatous fibers in B. wamin was responsible for the belly-like swellings of the culms. B. vulgaris had the longest mean fiber length (3364.68 ± 275.86 μm) and the thinnest wall (6.63 ± 1.8 μm), while B. vulgaris var. striata had the highest fiber width (23.07 ± 0.91 μm). B. vulgaris exhibited greater fiber length variation and more favorable fiber indices, including Runkel ratio, flexibility coefficient, and slenderness ratio, compared to B. vulgaris var. striata and B. wamin. B. vulgaris var. striata showed high fiber resistance to beating, poor digestibility, and low strength-related indices, while B. wamin displayed intermediate fiber qualities with higher sheet density potential. Overall, B. vulgaris proved most suitable for pulp and paper production owing to superior fiber characteristics that enhance pulp yield and paper strength properties.

Author Biographies

  • Ashutosh Pathak, Forest Research Institute P.O. New Forest Dehradun 248 006

    Scientist C, Wood Anatomy Discipline, Forest Botany Division

  • Praveen K. Verma, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006 Uttarakhand, India

    Scientist D, Plant Systematic, Discipline, Forest Botany Division

  • Himani Prabhakar, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment

    Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Management, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263643, Uttarakhand, India

  • Ankur Prajapati, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute

    Wood Anatomy Discipline, Forest Botany Division, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006 Uttarakhand, India

  • Vijay Sharma, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute

    Wood Anatomy Discipline, Forest Botany Division, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006 Uttarakhand, India

  • Dheeraj Kumar, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute

    Wood Anatomy Discipline, Forest Botany Division, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006 Uttarakhand, India

  • Harshita Mishra, University of Allahabad

    Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211002, Uttar Pradesh

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Origin. Version 2022. Northampton, MA: OriginLab Corporation; 2022

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Published

2025-10-15

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article

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Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): October 2025 Issue

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Copyright (c) 2025 ASHUTOSH PATHAK, Praveen K. Verma, Himani Prabhakar, Ankur Prajapati, Vijay Sharma, Dheeraj Kumar, Harshita Mishra (Author)

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Pathak A, Verma PK, Prabhakar H, et al. Comparative Histochemical and Anatomical Studies of three Bambusa taxa: Research Article. phytoTalks. 2025;2(3):448-456. doi:10.21276/pt.2025.v2.i3.2

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