NEW ADVANCES IN CHESTNUT GROWING IN THE BLACK SEA REGION, TURKEY

Abstract

This paper introduces the advances in applied researches on chestnut growing in the Black Sea Region, a major origin center of sweet chestnut (C. sativa), Turkey. Some recommendations were made for prioritizing future studies in propagation, nursery tree production, and topworking as well as genetic sources, selection, variety registration in order to meet the requirements of chestnut producers. The main cultivar characteristics of new registered European genotypes were also reported. In terms of cultivar and rootstock potentiality, some intra- and interspecific hybrids of different species were discussed. In conclusion, new registered European cultivars ('Ersinop', 'Unal', 'Erfelek' and 'Eryayla'), some European x Japanese hybrids ('Marigoule', 'Bouch de Betizac', 'Maraval' and 'Marsol') and some complex hybrids of different species are good potential as genetic source due to their high productivity, fruit quality and resistance to some diseases prevailing in the Black Sea Region.