Dendrocalamus strictus: a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge and future research priorities
Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees is one of the most ecologically and economically important bamboo species in India, inhabiting approximately 53% of the bamboo-bearing area. Owing to its high biomass productivity, drought tolerance, carbon sequestration potential, versatile utility, and adaptability to degraded environments, D. strictus has emerged as an important species for supporting rural livelihoods, land restoration, and climate change mitigation. This review compiles and synthesizes information on the morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the species, as well as its reproductive biology, propagation techniques, agroforestry applications, carbon sequestration potential, and genomics. The available literature indicates that D. strictus is highly suitable for the reclamation of degraded lands and for soil and water conservation. Solid culms and favorable mechanical properties make it a promising substitute for timber in diverse applications. Among the existing propagation methods, tissue culture has emerged as the most efficient technique for large-scale plantation establishment. Plantations of D. strictus exhibit high carbon sequestration potential, often outperforming those of other bamboo species and teak, thereby highlighting its significance in climate change mitigation and land restoration initiatives. Agroforestry systems integrating D. strictus with crops such as ginger, turmeric, chickpea, and sesame have also demonstrated ample ecological and economic benefits. However, several knowledge gaps continue to hinder the effective utilization of this species. Although gregarious flowering events have been documented, the underlying mechanisms and regulation of flowering remain poorly understood, limiting improvement programs and effective plantation management. Furthermore, the polyploid nature of the species, coupled with the lack of comprehensive genomic resources, constrains investigations into the genetic basis of adaptive traits, evolutionary history, genetic diversity, epigenetic regulation, molecular drivers of flowering, advanced breeding strategies, and gene-editing applications. This review highlights the current state of knowledge, identifies critical research gaps, and provides a foundation for integrating silvicultural and genomic strategies to support the sustainable utilization and long-term conservation of D. strictus .