The effect of different nursery conditions on some of the leaf and stomata characteristics in Chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different nursery conditions on some leaf dimensions and stomatal characteristics in the chestnut. The study was carried out in the open field and under shaded (50%) and unshaded greenhouse conditions. I n this study, scions of the Marigoule and Unal cultivars were grafted on seedlings of the 554-14 genotype with the inverted radicle grafting method. Grafting was performed during the second week of May in the first year and during the last week of April in the second year. Significant differences in leaf dimensions and stomata density were found in different nursery conditions. The width and length of leaf lamina were higher in the shaded greenhouse (P<0.01). The ratio of the leaf lamina width/length (P<0.01) and stomata density (P<0.05) were higher in the open field condition. The highest correlation (r = - 0.847 ) was determined between stomata length and stomata width/length ratio (P<0.01). These results indicate that the leaf lamina width and length increased in the shaded greenhouse unlike the stomata density which decreased slightly. However, stomata dimensions remained the same in all three nursery conditions.