Propagation, physiology, and biomass of Giant Cane (Arundinaria gigantea) for conservation and restoration

Abstract

Arundinaria gigantea is a native species to 22 states in the U.S. The species and its ecosystem are considered critically endangered, and the species has been reduced to 2% of its original extent. Our research goals were to; 1) examine methods for greenhouse propagation for restoration; 2) examine the physiology of cane at one of the only canebrakes on public land in SW MO, greenhouse propagated cane, and field planted cane; and 3) develop an allometric equation to estimate biomass of the canebrake. We used the number of shoots produced as a metric for propagation success. The number of new shoots depended on rhizome length, watering regime, and whether propagation was attempted with the rhizome alone or with an existing culm. We recorded 100% propagation success from every rhizome with culm cut at 2nd internode with regular watering on 8 x 15.6-inch pots having soil-mix/perlite media. Leaf chlorophyll values ranged from 329 umol/m2 in sun leaves to 354 umol/m2 in shade leaves in October 2022. During a mild drought summer 2022, leaves-maintained water potential of -1.8 MPa with photosynthetic rates as high as 12 umol CO2/m2/s. Biomass models based on pole diameter and height were established. We estimated 12,359.508 kg of biomass which is equivalent to 5.8 metric tons of carbon stored by a 0.17 ha canebrake at Mincy Conservation Area in SW MO. Our research provides baseline data for understanding the role of cane and canebrakes in ecosystem functioning in existing canebrakes, and habitats where cane could be restored.