Centro Regionale di Castanicoltura: nuove tecniche per la propagazione

An experimental methodology for chestnut agamic propagation was applied at the Chestnut Regional Center, in Chiusa Pesio (Cuneo Province). Two hybrids, Maraval and Marsol (Castanea crenata Sieb et Zucc. x Castanea sativa Mill.) were used for the trial. The environment was adequately prepared by installing lifted up shelves with coverage (mini tunnel) and environmental conditioning systems (fog system and heating carpets). The rooting average percentage calculated was 40.6%, even if, during the first year of testing, some technical problems numerically compromised the results. The statistic analysis showed an absence of significant differences in the rooting between different substrates and an higher rooting in Maraval. The results are positive as they identified a new protocol for the multiplication of Castanea spp. hybrids by cutting, also for commercial purposes in Italy.