Plant husbandry – Process
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2002-05-21
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Process
Reexamination Certificate
active
06389746
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fibercane (
Arundo donax
L.) and to methods of propagating new plants.
Arundo donax
is a member of the Poaceae family and has several common names including “giant reed”, “Spanish cane”, “giant cane”, and “fibercane”. Arundo is a native of Mediterranean coastal areas where it is a robust perennial grass 3 to 10 meters (9 to 30 feet) tall, growing in many-stemmed cane-like clumps. Arundo spreads from horizontal rootstocks below the soil and often forms large colonies many meters across. Individual stems or culms are tough and hollow, divided by partitions at nodes like bamboo. Stems are from 1 to 4 centimeters in diameter. Culms are unbranched or with single (rarely multiple) lateral branches from nodes. The pale green to blue-green leaves broadly clasp the stem with a heart-shaped base or leaf sheath, about 2-6 cm wide at the base of the blade or lamina and tapering to the tip, up to 70 cm or more in length. Leaves are arranged alternately (not opposite each other) throughout the culm, very distinctly two-ranked (in a single plane).
Arundo produces a tall, plume-like flower-head at the upper tips of stems, the flowers closely packed in a cream to brown colored cluster borne from early spring to early fall, but these flowers do not produce viable seeds or achenes in North America. Culms may remain green throughout the year but often fade with semi-dormancy during the winter months or in drought. Arundo can be confused with cultivated bamboos and corn, and in earlier stages with some large-stature grasses, especially Phragmites (Common reed) which is less than 4 meters tall and has panicles which are less than 3 dm with long hairs between the florets. Fibercane is a perennial reed with stems which are erect and hollow. Three species of Arundo occur world-wide in tropical to warm temperate climates.
Arundo donax
is naturalized and invasive in many regions, including southern Africa, sub-tropical U. S. through Mexico, the Caribbean islands and South America, Pacific Islands, Australia and Southeast Asia as described in Tracy, J. L., and DeLoach, C. J., 1999. “Suitability of Classical Biological Control for Giant Reed (
Arundo donax
) in the United States:” In C. E. Bell (ed.) Arundo and Saltcedar: The Deadly Duo, Proceedings of the Arundo and Saltcedar Workshop, Jun. 17, 1998, Ontario, Canada, pp. 73-109, and these references are incorporated herein.
Being a typical ‘reed’, Arundo appreciates very moist soils and will often be found growing in water at the edge of coastal ‘slacks’. In its native habitat, the stems are persistent, becoming rather woody in their second year. Nodal side shoots or ‘keikis’ are formed along 2nd year stems and if these come into contact with the ground, will root giving rise to new plants some distance away from the parent, provided the culm is still attached to the parent plant.
Arundo is currently propagated by sections of rhizomes. The ‘keikis’ which readily form on second year stems also can be detached and placed in water. Rooting usually takes place within 2 or 3 weeks, after which, the young plants can be potted into 20 cm pots using a good quality compost.
The thick, woody rhizomes can also be divided in April/May before the new growths have grown too large. It is better to lift the entire rootstock and cut through the rhizomes using a very sharp knife or saw. Sections can be replanted and care should be taken to ensure that they do not dry out especially during the first few weeks.
Arundo plants in North America do not produce viable seed, and seedlings are not observed in the field. Population expansion occurs through vegetative reproduction, either from underground rhizome extension of a colony or from plant fragments carried downstream, primarily during floods, to become rooted and form new clones. Horticultural propagation in the greenhouse is routinely done by planting rhizomes which readily establish. Fresh stems form roots at nodes under laboratory conditions (T. Zimmerman and J. Bunn, unpub. data), and root formation does occur where an attached culm has fallen over and is in contact with the substrate.
New shoots arise from rhizomes in nearly any season, but are more common during spring. Growth likewise occurs in all seasons, but is highly sensitive to temperature and moisture. During warm months with ample water Arundo culms are reported to attain growth rates of 0.7 meters per week or about 4 inches per day, putting it among the fastest growing terrestrial plants. Biomass production has been estimated at 8.3 tons dry weight per acre as described in Perdue, R. E., 1958. “
Arundo donax
—source of musical reeds and industrial cellulose.”
Econ. Botany,
12(4):368-404, and which is incorporated herein. Young stems rapidly achieve the diameter of mature canes with subsequent growth involving thickening of the walls. Age of individual culms is certainly more than one year and branching seems to represent stem growth in later years, while rhizomes show indeterminant growth. Branches also form when a stem is cut or laid over. Die-back is infrequently observed but culms fade or partially brown-out during winter, apparently becoming dormant under cold conditions. The outstanding growth trait of this plant is its extremely flexible ability to survive and grow at almost any time under a wide variety of environmental conditions.
Stems are used as measuring rods, walking sticks, fishing poles, musical instruments, reeds for woodwind instruments such as clarinets and saxophones, baskets and mats. Stems also serve as support for vines and similar climbing plants, and for making trellises and the like for climbing cultivated plants. The plant makes a good quality of paper, and in Italy the plant is used in the manufacture of rayon. Variegated and glaucous-leaved varieties are used as ornamentals. Because of rather high yields from natural stands, cane has been suggested for biomass for energy. As fodder, only the young leaves are browsed; the stems are woody, and the grass unpalatable in later stages.
Arundo donax
does not produce viable seed. Current methods of propagating Arundo involve the labor intensive process of digging up the rhizome, cutting the rhizome into sections, and then planting the rhizome sections in the field. A simpler, less labor intensive method would improve the commercial production of Arundo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the method of the present invention, stems of fibercane are cut above ground and laid whole or in sections in shallow furrows or on level ground. The cut stems then may remain uncovered, or are covered either partially or entirely with soil. The stems are covered by hand or with machinery. Under optimal growing conditions nodal or axillary buds will develop into plants and initiate the production of rhizomes and new plants.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
In the description and tables which follow, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided:
Organic material(s) As used herein, the term ‘organic material’ means carbon-based material having plant, microbial or animal origin. Examples of organic materials include mulch, peat, manure, moss, bark and sawdust.
Inorganic material(s) As used herein, the term ‘inorganic material’ means any material that is not organic material, such as soil, limestone, ash, lime or industrial waste.
Furrow As used herein, the term ‘furrow’ means an extended indentation in the surface of the soil or planting medium.
Rhizome As used herein, the term ‘rhizome’ refers to an underground, modified, creeping stem which is solid and usually grows horizontal to the soil surface.
Node(s) As used herein, the term ‘node’ refers to a joint or notch on the stem or culm at which point a leaf can be attached and above which a single nodal bud is present.
Seed cane As used herein, the term ‘seed cane’ refers to whole stems or culms, or any portions thereof, whic
Gellner Jeffrey L.
Poon Peter M.
Rothwell Figg Ernst & Manbeck
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