Abstract: To reveal epigenetic changes during flowering and rejuvenation of bamboo, we performed methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis on the genomic DNA of Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc. during flowering and asexual rejuvenation. Methylation level in P.bambusoides blades decreased during the flowering stage and then increased gradually after flowering when new bamboo stands were produced via asexual rejuvenation. Compared with non-flowering bamboo stands, 29.09% of methylation sites were mutated during P.bambusoides flowering, with 17.88% of sites completely demethylated in flowering plants, which was much higher than that of the methylation sites (3.61%). The number and ratio of polymorphic sites changing in methylation status occurred in rejuvenated and non-flowering bamboo stands, especially demethylated sites, were lower than those in flowering bamboo stands. Methylation in floral organs was lower than that in blades in flowering P.bambusoides, and 28.58% of sites demonstrated changes in methylation status, mainly in the form of demethylation.

Key words: Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb.et Zucc, flowering, rejuvenation, DNA methylation, MSAP