Silicon Uptake and Phytolith Morphology in Dendrocalamus brandisii Seedling Leaf from Different Rearing Methods

The moisture, ash, and silicon content, as well as the phytolith morphotype and concentration in the tissue-cultured, seed-cultured, and grafted seedling leaves of Dendrocalamus brandisii were determined to investigate the differences in silicon uptake and phytolith morphology in the leaves from different rearing methods. The results showed that ash, silicon content, and phytolith concentration were higher in the mature leaves. Tissue-cultured seedlings had a significantly higher moisture content than grafted seedlings. Ash and silicon demonstrated the same order of grafted seedlings > tissue-cultured seedlings > seed-cultured seedlings. The highest phytolith concentration was found in tissue-cultured seedlings. The phytolith morphotypes in D. brandisii seedling leaves raised by different methods were identical and grouped into eight morphotypes. The phytolith assemblage was characterized by a high frequency of bilobate and saddle, accounting for more than 60%, whereas the morphotypes of elongate, blocky, flabellate, and circular phytoliths accounted for the smallest proportion, normally all below 4.5%. The phytolith size demonstrated an increasing trend in the maturing leaves. The sizes of bilobate, saddle, and acute phytoliths expanded the fastest in tissue-cultured seedling leaves, implying rapid growth of the cell in tissue-cultured seedlings. Accordingly, the tissue-cultured seedlings contained more silicon and phytoliths of larger sizes, which could be a better choice of stock supply for establishing large-scale plantations. If the stock of the seed-cultured and grafted seedlings is to be used, silicon fertilizer application is an optimal option to boost seedling growth.