Anatomical characterization of the roots, leaves and culms of Guadua weberbaueri in different growing environments

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the use of bamboo for a variety of purposes. In the western Amazon region, specifically in the state of Acre, Brazil, native bamboo (Guadua weberbaueri Pilg.) grows in great abundance, which calls attention to its possible sustainable exploitation. Thus, this project aims to perform the anatomical characterization of the culms, leaves and roots of G. weberbaueri in different environments, both inside and along the border of a forest. For the analysis, samples were collected from culms, leaves and roots at the Zoobotanical Park of Federal University of Acre, and permanent slides were visualized by optical microscopy. We observed that the vascular bundles of the central leaf veins were wider in leaves from the border of the forest than in those from inside the forest. In contrast, the study of root anatomy showed differences in the diameter measurements of the xylem vessel elements, which were larger in those inside the forest than those from the border of the forest. The vascular bundles of culms did not present a difference, although a new characteristic found in this species is described.