Castanea Crenata Research Articles

SSR markers in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata)

SSR markers in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata)

영종도 삼림식생의 군락생태

영종도의 삼림식생은 곰솔군락, 소나무군락, 상수리나무군락, 신갈나무군락, 졸참나무군락, 굴참나무군락, 갈참나무군락, 떡갈나무군락, 소사나무군락, 물박달나무군락의 10개 이차림과 리기다소나무식재림, 아까시나무식재림, 밤나무식재림 등 3개 식재림으로 구분되었다. 상대기여도(R-NCD)에 의한 계층별 우점종은 아교목층에서 상수리나무, 소나무, 굴피나무, 팥배나무, 갈참나무, 관목층에서 진달래, 굴피나무, 졸참나무, 갈참나무, 상수리나무, 초본층에서 그늘사초, 산거울, 진달래, 억새, 주름조개풀 등으로 대부분 건조한 환경에 주로 출현하는 종들로 구성되어 있으며 군락의 층상구조 발달은 빈약하였다. 흉고직경 분포는 각 군락별로 다소 차이가 있었으나 대체로 2∼10 ㎝ 범위의 소경목이 전체의 56%를 차지하였으며 인위적 교란 후 재생과정 중에 있는 식생으로 수령은 40년 이내인 것으로 조사되었다. 군락별 토양환경의 pH는 전체평균값이 4.73(4.53∼5.10)으로 나타났으며, 유기물함량은 산지대에 분포하는 신갈나무군락, 리기다소나무식재림, 밤나무식재림이 산지 능선부나 해안가, 저지의 구릉지에 주로 분포하는 곰솔군락, 소나무군락에 비하여 각각 높게 나타났으며, 유기물함량과 총질소 사이에는 높은 상관관계를 보였다. The vegetation in this study area was divided into 10 plant communities: Pinus thunbergii, P. densiflora, Quercus acutissima, Q. mongolica, Q. serratea, Q. variabilis, Q. aliena, Q. dentata, Carpinus coreana, Betula davurica and 3 afforestations; Pinus rigida, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Castanea crenata. The dominant species in each stratum as determined by R-NCD appeared to be Q. acutissima, P. densiflora, Platycarya strobilacea, Sorbus alnifolia and Q. aliena in the tree-2 layer, Rhododendron mucronulatum, P. strobilacea, Q. serrata, Q. aliena and Q. acutissima in the shrub layer, and Carex lanceolata, C. humilis, R. mucronulatum, Mischanthus sinensis var. purpurascens and Oplismenus undulatifolius in the herb layer. The distribution of diameter at breast height(DBH) showed the highest percentage (56%) in the range of 2∼10㎝ in the study area and it was investigated as being in the restoration phase after disturbance. The average of the age of trees was under 40-years-od. The pH of soil collected at each site appeared to be within the range between 4.53 and 5.10(the average of 4.73) in each community, organic matters appeared higher than the value in Q. mongolica, P. rigida, C. crenata communities compared to P. thunbergii, P. densiflora communities. And soil organic matters and total nitrogen were highly correlated with their contents.

Characterization of simple sequence repeats in Japanese chestnut

SummaryFifteen SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci were developed in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb et Zucc.) using a genomic library enriched for (AG)/(TC). The SSR loci obtained produced 1–16 alleles per locus, of which 14 showed polymorphisms. The average values of heterozygosity and polymorphic information content among the 14 loci were 0.50 and 0.54, respectively. Genetic relatedness was evaluated for 30 Japanese chestnut accessions using 14 polymorphic SSR loci, with no distinct differences in allele composition observed between cultivated and wild natures as well as between Japanese and Korean origins. SSR loci developed in the Japanese chestnut could be successfully transferable to other Castanea species. Diversity and genetic relationship in Castanea pp. was examined based on the nucleotide sequences of putative SSR alleles.

Fertilization and In Vitro Growth of Ovules in Japanese Chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.)

Ovules were removed from ovaries from mid-July to early August and cultured in vitro. As a result, all ovules which were sampled and cultured by July 19 in the central female flowers and by July 22 in the lateral female flowers died before early September. However, in ovules sampled and cultured on and after July 22 and 26 in the central and lateral female flowers, respectively, nearly one ovule per ovary survived and developed on the culture medium until mid-September. The development and enlargement of the embryos within the ovules were also observed. Differences in the weight between the largest ovule per ovary and the other ovules began to become clear after July 22 in the central and lateral female flowers. The differences increased rapidly on and after July 29. The longest pollen tubes which penetrated into the ovaries reached the nucelli on July 19-22 and July 22-26 in the central and lateral female flowers, respectively. The pollen tubes which reached the zone where the nucelli were located were observed on July 15 and 19 in the central and lateral female flowers; their numbers increased rapidly during July 15-19 and July 19-22, respectively. Subsequently, their numbers gradually decreased. In the central female flowers, the ovules with a single pollen tube per ovary numbered 5, 6 and 5 on July 22, 26 and 29, respectively. A pollen tube, which penetrated into the micropyle, reached the nucellus in only one ovule in the ovary during July 22-29. The pollen tubes which had penetrated into the micropyles of the other ovules stopped growing at the same length, about half of the length of the entire micropyle, on July 29 in particular. It was suggested that when one ovule had already been fertilized, the other ovules, into which pollen tubes had penetrated, could not be fertilized owing to the cessation of the pollen tube growth.

Identification of Fragrances from Chestnut Blossom by Gas Chromatography-Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

In far-eastern Asia including Korea, Japan, and China, chestnuts are an important source of food. The scientific name for the Korean chestnut tree that widely distributed in Korean peninsular is Castanea crenata var dulcis Siebold et Zuccarini (Fagaceae) or Castanea kusakuri. The Japanese chestnut is classified as Castanea crenata, the Chinese chestnut as Castanea mollissima or Castanea bungeana Blume, the European chestnut as Castanea sativa, the American chestnut as Castanea dentata and some American species the chinquapin as Castanea pumila. It was commonly found on mountains, hills, and slopes in gravelly or rocky, well-drained glacial soils. The flowers of the Korean chestnut appeared in June, producing a spectacular display of creamy-yellow blossoms and were strongly scented. The flowers were similar to those of the Japanese chestnut. Chestnut honey was produced in this season. Interestingly, it has been believed that chestnut blossoms emit strong sperm-like scents for attracting mate. The edible nuts ripened and dropped from September. The bark and wood were rich in tannic acid which provided tannin for use in the tanning of leather. To date, however, chemical composition of fragrances emanated from chestnut blossom has never been studied. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the fragrance composition emanated from chestnut blossom. The screening of new compounds and combination formulas for cosmetics, aroma therapy and many other applications is the final goal. In this study, solid-phase trapping-solvent extraction (SPTE) was used to collect fragrances emitted from chestnut blossom. Then, fragrant compounds were analysed by GC-MS n with electron impact (EI) ionization and methane chemical ionization (CI) modes for the crosschecking. For the first time, fragrance constituents of chestnut blossom have been reported here.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma castaneae', a novel phytoplasma taxon associated with chestnut witches' broom disease.

In Korea, Japanese chestnut trees (Castanea crenata Sieb. and Zucc.) showing symptoms indicative of witches' broom disease, including abnormally small leaves and yellowing of young leaves, were examined. Since the symptoms were suggestive of a phytoplasma infection, tissues were assayed for phytoplasmas by PCR analysis using a pair of universal primers that amplify a 1.4-kbp phytoplasma 16S rDNA fragment. The phytoplasma-specific fragment was amplified from diseased plants, but not from healthy plants, indicating that a phytoplasma was the causal agent of the chestnut witches' broom (CnWB) disease. The phylogenetic relationship of the CnWB phytoplasma to other phytoplasmas was examined by sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of the phytoplasmas placed the CnWB phytoplasma within a distinct subgroup in the phytoplasma clade of the class Mollicutes. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the CnWB phytoplasma is related most closely to coconut phytoplasmas and suggested that they share a common ancestor. The unique properties of the CnWB phytoplasma sequences clearly establish that it represents a novel taxon, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma castaneae'.

Effects of the chestnut inner shell extract on the expression of adhesion molecules, fibronectin and vitronectin, of skin fibroblasts in culture.

The inner shell of the chestnut (Castanea crenata S. et Z., Fagaceae) has been used as an anti-wrinkle/skin firming agent in East Asia, and preliminary experiments have found that a 70% ethanol extract from this plant material can prevent cell detachment of skin fibroblasts from culture plates. In order to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, its effects on the expression of adhesion molecules, such as fibronectin and vitronectin, were investigated using the mouse skin fibroblast cell line, NIH/3T3. Using fixed-cell ELISA, Western blotting and immunofluorescence cell staining, it was clearly demonstrated that the chestnut inner shell extract enhanced the expression of the cell-associated fibronectin and vitronectin. Scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin), isolated from the extract, also possessed similar properties. These findings suggest that the enhanced expression of the adhesion molecules may be one of the molecular mechanisms for how the chestnut inner shell extract preventing cell detachment and may be also responsible for its anti-wrinkle/skin firming effect.

Effects of burying depth and seed size on seedling establishment of Japanese chestnuts, Castanea crenata

The extent to which caching depth and nut size affect seedling establishment of Japanese chestnuts, Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc. , were investigated by burying the nuts of three different size-classes at different depths (0 cm on litter; 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 cm beneath litter) in a nursery. Seedling emergence, seedling mass and height were usually reduced by deep burial, particularly for small nuts. With increasing burial depth and decreasing nut size, the biomass allocation to stems (particularly below ground stems) increased, while allocation to roots (part below cotyledons including hypocotyl) decreased. Such morphological changes would amortize the limited seed reserve to facilitate emergence. Seedling emergence, seedling mass and height were greatest at 5 cm burial depth, but no seedlings emerged when nuts were sown on litter, suggesting that animal caching in shallow burial (scatter hoarding) favors chestnuts regeneration. At the optimal burial depth (5 cm), there was little difference in the seedling height among nut size-classes which showed that nut size has little effect on their competitive abilities with neighboring herbs in the early successional habitats where the chestnuts usually regenerate. The fact that most of the larder- or nest-hoarded nuts ( depth≧10 cm) were consumed by wood mice ( Apodemus spp.) in the fields suggests that large nuts would not always have distinct advantages over small nuts.

Effect of ex vitro conditions on growth and acquisition of autotrophic behaviour during the acclimatisation of chestnut regenerated in vitro

This study reports the effects of light and CO 2 availability during the acclimatisation phase on micropropagated plantlets of a chestnut hybrid ( Castanea sativa× Castanea crenata). After in vitro phases at 50 μmol m −2 s −1, the plantlets were transferred directly from in vitro root induction to ex vitro acclimatisation under four different treatments corresponding to irradiances of 150 and 300 μmol m −2 s −1 each one in association with CO 2 concentrations of 350 and 700 μl l −1. For all treatments, the survival rates were above 80%. CO 2 concentration at 700 μl l −1 promoted growth measured as relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. Leaf area was also promoted by high CO 2, but without the corresponding increase in dry weight. A biomass increase of 100% was obtained when high CO 2 was combined with high irradiance. Total chlorophyll content of in vitro (persistent) and ex vitro (new) formed leaves was mainly affected by the irradiance. Chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio of new leaves at the end of all the acclimatisation treatments attained the value of full autotrophic leaves. Unlike starch, the concentration of soluble sugars was significantly down-regulated by CO 2 concentration. Sucrose was exported from persistent leaves independently of the treatments. As growth proceeded, new expanded leaves became the carbohydrate source and exported sucrose to the growing apices and other new leaves. The effect of high irradiance (300 μmol m −2 s −1) combined with high CO 2 concentration (700 μl l −1) on the acquisition of autotrophic behaviour by the plants is discussed.

Spatial arrangement of branches in relation to slope and neighbourhood competition.

To gain a better understanding of the effects of spatial structure on patterns of neighbourhood competition among hardwood trees, the three-dimensional extension of primary branches was surveyed for ten community-grown Castanea crenata (Fagaceae) trees with respect to the positioning of neighbouring branches and the slope of the forest floor. There were significantly more branches extending towards the lower side of the slope than towards the upper side, but structural properties such as branch length and vertical angle were not affected by slope. When horizontal extension of a branch towards its neighbour was compared for a C. crenata branch and a neighbouring heterospecific, the former was significantly narrower than the latter when the inter-branch distance (horizontal distance between the base positions of two neighbouring branches) was short (< approx. 5 m). Castanea crenata branches tended to extend in a direction avoiding neighbouring branches of heterospecifics when the inter-branch distance was short. Furthermore, for an inter-branch distance <3 m, the horizontal extension of a C. crenata branch was less when it was neighbouring a heterospecific branch than when neighbouring a conspecific branch. These results suggest that horizontal extension of C. crenata branches is more prone to spatial invasion by nearby neighbouring branches of heterospecifics, and that the invasion can be lessened when C. crenata trees are spatially aggregated. The reason why such an arrangement occurs is discussed in relation to the later leaf-flush of C. crenata compared with that of other species in the forest.

Impact of site‐induced mouse caching and transport behaviour on regeneration in Castanea crenata

Abstract. Dispersal and retrieval site selection by mice, transport distance, cache depth, and emergence and survival of seedlings of Castanea crenata (Japanese chestnut) were investigated by a magnet‐locating experiment in two habitat conditions (gap vs. forest understorey). Magnets were inserted into nuts (n= 450) and the nuts placed in the edge of forest gaps. Although wood mice (Apodemus speciosus and A. argenteus) initially buried nuts singly in shallow surface caches near the nut source, by the following spring these cached nuts were retrieved and re‐cached in larger, deeper caches farther from the source, particularly in forest understories, probably to reduce the threat of pilferage. All the nuts cached in the forest understories were consumed, but 4 seedlings emerged in gaps, apparently because of lower foraging activity in the gaps by the mice. Seed size was not correlated with cache depth or cache site selection. With increasing seed size, transport distance increased, particularly in gaps, possibly due to a greater potential energy gain (relative to handling cost to the cacher), or to attempts to prevent density‐ or mass‐dependent loss of caches by other foragers. Variable seed dispersal behaviour based on variation in seed size may influence the chances of colonization and distribution of the light‐demanding Castanea trees in mosaic landscapes and may play an important role in community organization and dynamics.

Life history and spatial distribution of Oriental beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in golf courses in Korea.

Larval and adult activity of the oriental beetle Exomala orientalis (Waterhouse), a pest of turfgrass in Korea, was investigated at four golf clubs in Pusan, Korea, from 1995 to 1999. Adult emergence was first observed on the greens in late May with peak activity occurring 2 wk later. During the day, E. orientalis adults were most active between 1800 and 2200 hours. First instars were found mostly in early July, second instars mostly in late July, and third instars from August to April. The density of larvae in fixed plots decreased steadily from the time of egg laying to pupation: 667/m3 on 26 July, 267/m3 on 29 August, and 122/m3 on 2 October 1997. All the observed E. orientalis completed one generation per year. Adult females were observed feeding on flowers of a late-blooming variety of Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb & Zucc). E. orientalis larval densities were higher in greens with Japanese chestnut nearby, and where magpie, Pica pica sericea (Gould), feeding was observed. More E. orientalis adults emerged from the right, left, and back of greens than from the front or middle. The intensity of emergence was inversely proportional to the amount of golfer traffic on various parts of the green. Counting emergence holes may be a way that golf course superintendents can predict which greens and tees are most likely to be damaged from E. orientalis larvae without destructive sampling.

Impact of site-induced mouse caching and transport behaviour on regeneration in Castanea crenata

Abstract Dispersal and retrieval site selection by mice, transport distance, cache depth, and emergence and survival of seedlings of Castanea crenata (Japanese chestnut) were investigated by a magnet-locating experiment in two habitat conditions (gap vs. forest understorey). Magnets were inserted into nuts (n = 450) and the nuts placed in the edge of forest gaps. Although wood mice (Apodemus speciosus and A. argenteus) initially buried nuts singly in shallow surface caches near the nut source, by the following spring these cached nuts were retrieved and re-cached in larger, deeper caches farther from the source, particularly in forest understories, probably to reduce the threat of pilferage. All the nuts cached in the forest understories were consumed, but 4 seedlings emerged in gaps, apparently because of lower foraging activity in the gaps by the mice. Seed size was not correlated with cache depth or cache site selection. With increasing seed size, transport distance increased, particularly in gaps, pos...

Pollen Tube Growth and Fertilization in Japanese Chestnut. (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.).

Pollen tube growth and the location of ovules within ovaries in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.) were investigated in relation to fertilization. Pollen tubes were first observed on 18 July in the upper part of ovaries in both central and lateral female (pistillate) flowers ; 2 days later, 36 and 11 pollen tubes were counted in the former and the latter, respectively. The number of pollen tubes in central female flowers began to decrease gradually from 26 July, and decreased rapidly after 28 July. In lateral female flowers, the number of pollen tubes also decreased gradually after a maximum of 16 on 24 July. The distances from the top of ovaries to the nucelli in central female flowers ranged 3-6mm on 18-24 July and 5-7mm after 26 July. In lateral female flowers, the distances increased to 3-5mm, 4-6mm, and 5-7mm on 18-20 July, 22 July, and afterward, respectively. The time of fertilization was estimated to be 26-28 July in central female flowers based on the observation of the pollen tube within the micropyle, and 24-26 July in lateral female flowers based on the onset of nucellar degeneration. On 26 and 28 July, the numbers of pollen tubes reaching the zone where the nucelli are located in central female flowers were 2 and 9, respectively ; in lateral female flowers, the frequency of pollen tubes on 24 and 26 July were 1 and 11, respectively, indicating a rapid increase in the number of pollen tubes approaching the ovules at fertilization. The bur weight increased rapidly from 18 July, when the pollen tubes first penetrated into the ovaries ; the burs were covered with spire scales and stinging hairs that began to develop. At fertilization, 26-28 July, the stinging hairs covered all styles ; by the time the embryo appeared on 1 August, they covered the entire surface of the burs in central and lateral female flowers.

Complete Amino Acid Sequence of Japanese Chestnut Agglutinin

The complete amino acid sequence of Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.) agglutinin (CCA) was determined. Analysis by SIMS of the acidic peptide obtained by pepsin digestion revealed that the N-terminal amino acid sequence should be Acetyl-Met-Glu-Glu. Prior to sequence analysis, redetermination of cysteine residues indicated the presence of one cysteine residue per subunit. The complete sequence was determined by endoproteinase Arg-C and Achromobacter protease I digestion, and CNBr cleavage. CCA consists of 309 amino acid residues with a high content of glycine (16.5 mol%) and one cysteine residue. The calculated molecular mass was 33,387 Da including the N-terminal acetyl group. C-terminal sequence analysis of intact CCA gave only one sequence, HMEYF, indicating that no heterogeneous CCA formed by posttranslational cleavage at the C-terminal region, as occurs in some legume lectins. Analysis of the sequence of CCA itself revealed that CCA could be divided into two structural domains, the N-domain and the C-domain, almost at the center. These domains share about 35% identical residues, so CCA has a repeat sequence. Also, both domains show a homology to jacalin-related lectins with 27–38% identity. These results suggest that the structure of CCA resembles two molecules of jacalin-related lectin.

Influence of leaf position, fruit and light availability on photosynthesis of two chestnut genotypes

The effects of canopy leaf position, light availability and the presence of fruit on leaf net photosynthesis rate ( P n) were evaluated in a chestnut orchard located in Central Italy. The study was carried out on Castanea sativa Mill. cv. ‘Marrone di Stroncone’, native to the Umbria Region, and on an interspecific hybrid Castanea crenata × Castanea sativa, cv. ‘Marigoule’. ‘Marrone di Stroncone’ had a higher mean P n than ‘Marigoule’. In both genotypes, P n changed during the growing season in response to phenological stages and, in particular, was higher during the main fruit growth period. From July to October the part of the shoot with higher P n moved progressively from the base to the tip. During the day, P n was high in the morning, and decreased progressively in the afternoon. The nearby presence of fruit increased P n of leaves on shoots exposed to full sunlight, especially during the morning, but did not significantly influence the leaf chlorophyll (Chl) or carbohydrate contents. Light saturation for P n was relatively high and there was a drastic reduction in P n in leaves which, due to their position, intercepted a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) lower than 300–400 μmol photon m −2 s −1 during the day. Shaded leaves were ca. 26% thinner than sunlit ones. Both the epidermal and mesophyll tissues were thicker in sunlit leaves, and the “density” of cells was higher in sunlit leaves. Morpho-anatomical and physiological adaptations allow the chestnut to optimise its use of the limited radiant energy available, but shading greatly reduces productivity. From the results it is affirmed that studies which consider photosynthetic assimilation must take into account the genotype, time of the day, growing season, leaf position and influence of the fruit. In order to increase the efficiency of the tree, it is important to ensure optimal conditions for whole canopy P n (light interception, water and nutrient availability, leaf integrity, etc.), particularly during those times when demand for assimilates is high. The chestnut genotypes studied have a very low P n compared to other temperate fruit and nut trees.

Shoot structure and dynamics of saplings and canopies of three deciduous broad-leaved trees of a coppice forest in central Japan

Three deciduous broad-leaved trees, Quercus serrata, Castanea crenata and Carpinus laxiflora, were the main constituents of a coppice forest in central Japan. The shoot elongation and leaf emergence modes of both saplings and the canopy of the three species were investigated. The shoot elongation modes of Q. serrata and C. crenata were the same in saplings and the upper layer of the canopy. The second shoots of these two species were formed after the first shoots were elongated. C. laxiflora was different between saplings and the upper layer of the canopy. In saplings, only the first shoots took a long time to elongate. In the upper canopy layer, higher order shoots were formed in the same way as in the other two species. In the lower layer of the canopy, all three species showed the same shoot elongation mode, in which only the first shoot and its duration of elongation was short. Leaf longevity, individual leaf area, leaf mass per unit leaf area and the stem mass per unit stem length of C. laxiflora were significantly shorter or significantly smaller than those of Q. serrata and C. crenata. The length of the stem per unit leaf area of C. laxiflora was three times that of Q. serrata and five times that of C. crenata. The elongation growth of C. laxiflora was highly efficient as it occurred with a small leaf area. The shoot dynamics and the shoot structure of C. laxiflora are more suitable for elongation growth than in Q. serrata and C. crenata. Furthermore, the shoot structures of the three species were compared and ecological characteristics of the three species are discussed.

Relationship between the number of airborne pollen and the distance from source trees in Castanea crenata

Relationship between the number of airborne pollen and the distance from source trees in Castanea crenata

Indirect interactions between two aphid species in relation to ant attendance

The influence of foraging by the ant,Lasius niger, on the population growth of two aphid species,Lachnus tropicalisandMyzocallis kuricola, on chestnut trees,Castanea crenata, was examined. The ant‐tending effect was divergent depending on the aphid density per ant: it was positive when there were few aphids per ant, but negative when there were many aphids per ant. In addition, the density of one aphid species also influenced the ant‐tending effect on the other aphid. Furthermore, the influences were asymmetrical: an increase inL. tropicalisdensity per ant reversed the ant’s effect on this species and onM. kuricola, while an increase inM. kuricolaper ant did not significantly influence the ant’s effect onL. tropicalis. Thus, the ant seems to stabilize theL. tropicalispopulation density and keep this species from extinction, while the ant’s effect onM. kuricoladepends on the density ofL. tropicalisand may leadM. kuricolato extermination. This change in the ant‐tending effect corresponds to the previously detected density‐dependent change in predation activity of the ants on aphids. In contrast, the density‐dependent change in the protection effect of the ants against natural enemies does not explain the results.

Polymorphism analysis of Fagaceae and DNA-based identification ofFagus species grown in Japan based on therbcL gene

Fagaceae species in Japan were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence comparison of a region ofrbcL. Of nine restriction endonucleases used for digestion, three (MspI,RsaI,HaeIII) produced different restriction patterns in Fagaceae. Digestion byMspI yielded four patterns: Fagus species,Castanea crenata, Pasania glabra, and others. Digestion byRsaI andHaeIII afforded two patterns:Fagus species and others. These facts indicate thatCastanea crenata andPasania glabra can be identified byMspI restriction patterns ofrbcL. Sequence comparison of a region of therbcL gene among 20 species of Fagaceae showed that: (1) they could be divided into seven groups; (2) there is a site mutation betweenFagus crenata andF. japonica. The latter indicates that the wood of both Fagus species are identifiable at the species level, which is not the case using conventional methods. This result indicates the possibility of wood identification based on DNA polymorphism in Fagaceae at the intrageneric level.