Effects of Different Strip Cutting Regimes on Growth Traits, Root Morphological Plasticity, and Allocation of Nutrients and Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Indocalamus latifolius

Strip cutting enables efficient, low-cost harvesting and regeneration of abandoned bamboo stands with minimal disturbance to the ecosystem. Nevertheless, the growth and resource allocation mechanisms of Indocalamus latifolius (Keng) McClure in response to varying strip cutting intensities remain unclear. In this study, abandoned I. latifolius stands were selected as research materials, with four gradient widths of cutting strips established (0 m, 1 m, 2 m, 3 m). This study aimed to clarify the growth and resource allocation mechanisms of I. latifolius in response to strip cutting by measuring organ biomass accumulation, root morphological traits, and the allocation strategies for nutrients and non-structural carbohydrates in cutting and reserved strips under different strip cutting intensities. The results showed that the 1 m strip width facilitated new ramet growth in both cutting and reserved strips, while the 2 m strip width only promoted new ramet growth in reserved strips. Both treatments suppressed fine root proliferation and increased average root diameter. Strip cutting significantly elevated nitrogen and phosphorus contents in new leaves, new stems, rhizomes, and roots, as well as soluble sugar contents in new leaves and new stems across cutting and reserved strips. By contrast, it reduced the non-structural carbohydrate content in roots, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus contents in old stems and old leaves within reserved strips. The 1 m and 2 m strip cutting treatments increased the nitrogen and phosphorus allocation ratios of new leaves, new stems, and rhizomes in reserved strips, and reduced the allocation ratios in roots, old leaves, and old stems. In conclusion, moderate-intensity strip clear-cutting facilitates new ramet sprouting within cutting strips and induces compensatory leaf growth in reserved strips. I. latifolius preferentially allocates nutrients and non-structural carbohydrates to new leaves, new stems, and rhizomes in reserved strips, yet this resource allocation strategy inhibits root growth.