Aluminum Stress Stimulates Growth in Phyllostachys edulis Seedlings: Evidence from Phenotypic and Physiological Stress Resistance

The exacerbation of Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a leading cause of forest degradation. However, the effects of Al on clone bamboo are not well-characterized. This study examined the influence of Al on bamboo growth using one-year-old Phyllostachys edulis seedlings subjected to control Al treatments, which aim to provide theoretical support for improving the soil quality of bamboo forests. The results indicated that the Al content in the seedlings increased by 86.42% to 162.79% compared to the control. However, it remained within a relatively stable range, with the root being the primary site of accumulation. Among the treatments, the 0.3 mM Al group (Al3+) exhibited the highest values in biomass indexes (LB, RB and AGB). In contrast, the 2.0 mM Al treatment led to a significantly higher root-to-shoot ratio (RSR) than other groups. Physiological analyses revealed coordinated responses in key antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, CAT) and osmotic adjustment substances (Pro, SP, Bet). These findings demonstrate that P. edulis possesses considerable tolerance to Al, with a significant phenotypic inhibitory effect that was not observed with 2.0 mM Al treatment. Bamboo responds to Al stress through controlling Al absorption, optimizing resource reallocation, and enhancing adaptability physiology capacity, illustrating a comprehensive collaboration adaptive mechanism.