GENETIC VARIABILITY OF CHESTNUT IN ANDALUSIA (SPAIN)

Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is an European species cultivated both for wood and for fruit since ancient times in the Mediterranean region.
In Spain, the main stands of this specie are located in the northern part of the country, although important stands have been found in Andalusia, mainly in the provinces of Huelva and Malaga.
Unfortunately, scarce studies on genetic variability of sweet chestnut in Spain have been carried out.
During the last three years, the chestnut stands in Andalusia (south of Spain) have been analysed with the objective of initial wider study of this specie that allows safeguard of the genetic resources of this species and its sustainable use.
With the collaboration of the sector implied in the nut production, some wood producers and the Environmental Council of Regional Government of Andalusia, we have compiled up to 50 varietal denominations and identified 194 trees that respond to the same ones.
Fruit and leaf samples of all these trees have been taken for their analysis by qualitative and quantitative traits and molecular markers.
A preliminary analysis of the six more important varieties has indicated that, in at least some of the varietal denominations, genetic variability exists, in spite of its supposed clonal nature.

III International Chestnut Congress

J.B. Alvarez, M.A. Martin, C. Muñoz, S. López, L.M. Martin

chestnut, variability

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.693.60