INFLUENCE OF ABIOTIC FACTORS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF GIANT BAMBOO (DENDROCALAMUS ASPER) IN BUKIDNON, PHILIPPINES

The study examines the gross morphology of giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) relative to varying elevation, temperature, and relative humidity in five forest areas of Bukidnon province in the Philippines. Results revealed that variations in leaf sizes and the number of nodes and internodes among elevation ranges were not significant. However, the culm length of giant bamboo was significantly higher in the mid-elevation range (644–892 m asl) and lower elevation range (344–447 m asl) compared to culms in higher elevations. In addition, differences in culm diameter and culm thickness were significant showing larger diameter and thicker culms in the mid-elevation range (644–892 m asl) as compared to the higher (1117–1124 m asl) and lower (344–347 m asl) elevation range. The level of phosphorus and nitrogen was the highest in the mid and lower elevation range while potassium level was abundant in the highest elevations. Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between culm lengths to elevation and relative humidity while mid and top section diameters were negatively correlated to temperature until 892 m asl. Leaf area and leaf width were strongly influenced by phosphorus level. The canonical correspondence analysis showed culm lengths were affected by relative humidity and elevation while the number of nodes and internodes, top and mid-section culm thickness, average diameter and basal section diameters were affected by temperature. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed that variation in bamboo morphology occured at the lowest and highest elevation while overall similarity was observed at 600–900 m asl elevation, suggesting an optimal growth for giant bamboo might be within the range.