Lo stato in coltura del Marrone di Chiusa Pesio: da Cuneo all’altro emisfero

For a long time, chestnuts were one of the main economic resources in Italy, particularly in Piemonte Region. Marrone di Chiusa Pesio is one of the most important and valued cultivars of Castanea sativa. This study, carried out by the municipality of Chiusa di Pesio (CN) in collaboration with University of Turin and Chestnut R&D Center, aimed to identify Marrone di Chiusa Pesio plants in the original area and produce a specific cartography. In the study, 20 sampling areas were considered: a Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) was carried out in order to evaluate the plant status. Genetic analysis by Simple Sequence Repeats loci and morphological analysis using UPOV descriptors were carried out in order to assess the differences among considered plants and their fruits. In addition, fruits were processed to obtain flour in order to evaluate their nutraceutical and nutritional value. The study identified 187 trees of Marrone di Chiusa Pesio, mainly located in a small flat area called Regione Vigne near Chiusa di Pesio (Cuneo). In 19 sampling areas, plants were identified as Marrone di Chiusa Pesio. VTA analysis showed the not-positive plant status due to the presence of Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.), Phytophthora cambivora (Petri) Buisme, and P. cinnamomi Rand (Crandall, L.C.). In addition, over 70% of the plants can be traced back to the second post-war period. Morphological analysis highlighted a correlation between fruit traits and the used agrotechniques. In particular, phytosanitary status and lack of irrigation influence the morphological fruit characteristics. Moreover, results showed that nutraceutical fruit traits were not influenced by used agrotechniques.