Banca semi in un ceduo di castagno fuori turno. Caratteristiche e funzionalità

Characteristics and functionality of the seed bank in an over-aged chestnut coppice Soil seed bank plays a fundamental role in forest regeneration. In this paper we report on the effect of a coppicing of a 60 years old chestnut stand on the seed bank. The results confirm that the regeneration of chestnut coppice can be achieved through a simple coppice, using both the resprouting capacity of the chestnut stools and the germination capacity of the chestnut fruits. In case of species displaying an annual irregularity in seed production such as oaks, the cut should take place following a mast year. In the light of this result, the opportunity of a systematic distribution of standards for seed production in a coppiced chestnut stand may be discussed.