Bamboo Seeds as a Resource for the Future: A Review of Germination, Storage, Phytochemistry, and Biotechnological Applications
Abstract
Flowering and seed set is enigmatic in bamboos. Massive seeding is followed by death of the entire clump, and seeds also remain viable for a short span of time. This limitation restricts the utility of seeds for various purposes. The solution for this loss of viability can be obtained by improving seed storage methods, such as cryopreservation, to maintain viability over extended periods. Alternative approaches using in vitro techniques including somatic embryogenesis (micropropagation) followed by artificial seed production, as well as in vitro flowering with subsequent seed set, offer promising solutions. Seeds can be utilized for multiple applications through innovative, practical, and commercial approaches that address the unpredictable seeding behavior of bamboos. This review examines the current state of knowledge on bamboo seed germination, storage requirements, phytochemical composition, and biotechnological applications including micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, artificial seeds, and in vitro flowering.
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Introduction
Bamboos are monocarpic plants of the grass family (Poaceae). Flowering is cyclic in bamboos and manifested as transformation of the entire vegetative plant into inflorescence (Janzen, 1976; John and Nadgauda, 1999; Varmah and Bahadur, 2011). Seeds are produced in huge amounts (massive seeding) but lose viability within a short span of 2 to 3 months (Banik, 1994). Despite this limitation, seeds have potential for large-scale and inexpensive propagation naturally. The seeds can also be utilized for other purposes such as germplasm conservation and genetic improvement through biotechnological approaches (Nadgauda, 1999; Sharma et al., 2017), in addition to raising large-scale plantations both in vitro and in vivo. All these applications of seeds can be enhanced by increasing shelf life and preventing loss of viability within the short period after production.
There is limited information on uses of bamboo seeds (Kiruba et al., 2007), probably due to their scarcity resulting from limited viability. Seeds of bamboo species such as Bambusa arundinacea are collected and used as food grains (bamboo rice) by tribal communities of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India (Kiruba et al., 2007). Bamboo seeds are nutritionally superior to rice and wheat (Rao et al., 1955). Bamboos are grouped under non-timber forest products, but they have transcended from 'poor man's timber' to 'the timber of the 21st century' (Singh et al., 2017).
Although bamboo is part of the grass family, which has been well studied in genomics, genome data for the subfamily Bambusoideae remains far from complete. Construction of bamboo genetic populations and genetic maps is difficult because bamboo flowering is unpredictable, with cycles ranging from 40 to 120 years (Sood et al., 2018). Research on methods to enhance viability of bamboo seeds can help address this paucity of genetic studies, particularly comparative genomic studies in bamboos. Full-length cDNA cloning and sequencing in bamboos has revealed close relationships with other Poaceae members including rice, wheat, and barley (Peng et al., 2010). This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on bamboo seed biology and explore potential applications for sustainable utilization of this valuable resource.
Conclusion
Bamboo seeds are available only for a short span of time during flowering events that occur at long, unpredictable intervals. Unlike seeds of other plants, bamboo seeds cannot be readily utilized and exploited, particularly for genetic studies and variety improvement programs. These limitations also restrict research on various aspects of bamboo biology and utilization.
In vitro techniques including somatic embryogenesis via micropropagation, artificial seed production, and in vitro flowering with subsequent seed set are practically possible and have been attempted on various scales to address these limitations, though with limited success to date. Further experiments are needed to obtain seeds through alternative methods and to improve research and development of bamboos for long-term sustainability. Cryopreservation offers potential for long-term storage of viable seeds and germplasm conservation. Phytochemical analysis of bamboo seeds reveals the presence of various bioactive compounds that warrant further investigation for potential health and nutritional applications. Continued research efforts combining conventional and biotechnological approaches will be essential for unlocking the full potential of bamboo seeds as a resource for the future.
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