The effect of the conversion of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forests to orchards on soil fertility and nutrient content in leaves

Improvements in the yield and solubility of chestnut wood extractives, by using different extraction methods and molybdenum catalysts as support, have rarely been reported in literature. Many studies focus on the different parts of trees, except for the chemical characteristics of the remaining extractives achieved from thermally modified (THM) chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill) wood. This research seeks to better understand the effects of extraction techniques and catalysts on the yield and solubility of extractives. GC-MS analysis of the chloroform soluble and insoluble fractions was also used. Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) 110 °C, Soxhlet, and autoclave extraction techniques were used to obtain extractives from untreated and thermally modified (THM) chestnut wood (170 °C for 3 h). Ethanol/H2O, ethanol/toluene, and water were the solvents used for each technique. A polyoxometalate compound (H3PMo12O40) and MoO3 supported on silica were used as catalysts. The THM induced a change in the wood’s surface color (ΔE = 21.5) and an increase in mass loss (5.9%), while the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) was reduced by 17.4% compared to the control wood. The yields of the extractives and their solubility were always higher in THM and mainly used ASE as the technique. GC-MS analysis of the extractives, without catalyst support, showed different results for each extraction technique and type of wood (untreated and THM). Ultimately, the amount of extractive compound dissolved in each solvent will differ, and the choice of extraction technique will depend on the intended final application of the extracted chemical product.

Download Full-text

Efficient Protocol for Improving the Development of Cryopreserved Embryonic Axes of Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) by Encapsulation–Vitrification

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 231

Author(s):

Mariam Gaidamashvili ◽

Eka Khurtsidze ◽

Tamari Kutchava ◽

Maurizio Lambardi ◽

Carla Benelli

Keyword(s):

Activated Charcoal ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Alginate Beads ◽

Embryonic Axes ◽

Root Regrowth ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

Whole Plants ◽

Long Term Preservation ◽

Direct Immersion

An optimized cryopreservation protocol for embryonic axes (EAs) of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) has been developed based on the encapsulation–vitrification procedure. EAs of mature seeds were aseptically dissected and encapsulated in alginate beads with or without 0.3% (w/v) activated charcoal (AC). Embedded EAs were dehydrated with Plant Vitrification Solution 2 for different treatment times up to 120 min, followed by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. Cryopreserved embryonic axes encapsulated with AC showed higher survival (70%) compared to those encapsulated without AC (50%). Sixty-four percent of embryonic axes, from synthetic seeds with AC, subsequently developed as whole plants. Plantlet regrowth was faster in AC-encapsulated EAs and showed enhanced postcryopreservation shoot and root regrowth over 2 cm after five weeks from rewarming. Results indicate that encapsulation–vitrification with activated charcoal added to the beads is an effective method for the long-term preservation of Castaneasativa embryonic axes.

Download Full-text

Zeolite and Vermiculite as Inorganic Soil Amendments Modify Shoot-Root Allocation, Mineral Nutrition, Photosystem II Activity and Gas Exchange Parameters of Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill) Plants

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 109

Author(s):

Theocharis Chatzistathis ◽

Evgenia Papaioannou ◽

Anastasia Giannakoula ◽

Ioannis E. Papadakis

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Management ◽

Soil Amendments ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Gas Exchange Parameters ◽

Soil P ◽

Fertilization Rates ◽

Sustainable Nutrient Management ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

High Fertilization ◽

Exchange Parameters

One of the most challenging topics for the sustainable agriculture is how to decrease high fertilization rates. A pot experiment, exploring the effects of zeolite (ZEO) and/or vermiculite (VER) as soil amendments, comparing to the soil application of a controlled release fertilizer (CRF), was realized in chestnut plants. Various parameters related to soil fertility, and plant growth, nutrition, and physiology were investigated to gain knowledge towards more sustainable management. After ZEO application and in comparison to CRF, an impressive boost in soil K was achieved. Moreover, soil P and Zn levels were higher in the VER-treated soil, compared to CRF. Leaf K and Ca concentrations were significantly higher in ZEO, compared to the VER treatment; the highest foliar N and Zn concentrations were measured in CRF and VER, respectively. However, significantly lower foliar Mn and Cu were found in VER. The highest root biomass produced in the ZEO treated plants. For most nutrients, their total uptake per plant was higher in CRF and ZEO. Finally, photosynthetic rates were higher in VER (mainly due to non-stomatal factors) and CRF (mainly due to stomatal factors). Our data open a discussion towards the application of ZEO and/or VER as soil amendments in chestnut nurseries and orchards, aiming at partially decreasing fertilization rates and boosting sustainable nutrient management.

Download Full-text

The Dynamics of Flower Development in Castanea Sativa Mill.

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10081538 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1538

Author(s):

Ana Teresa Alhinho ◽

Miguel Jesus Nunes Ramos ◽

Sofia Alves ◽

Margarida Rocheta ◽

Leonor Morais-Cecílio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flower Development ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Male And Female ◽

Sweet Chestnut ◽

Chestnut Tree ◽

Abcde Model ◽

Organ Identity ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

Female Flowers

The sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is one of the most significant Mediterranean tree species, being an important natural resource for the wood and fruit industries. It is a monoecious species, presenting unisexual male catkins and bisexual catkins, with the latter having distinct male and female flowers. Despite the importance of the sweet chestnut tree, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the determination of sexual organ identity. Thus, the study of how the different flowers of C. sativa develop is fundamental to understand the reproductive success of this species and the impact of flower phenology on its productivity. In this study, a C. sativa de novo transcriptome was assembled and the homologous genes to those of the ABCDE model for floral organ identity were identified. Expression analysis showed that the C. sativa B- and C-class genes are differentially expressed in the male flowers and female flowers. Yeast two-hybrid analysis also suggested that changes in the canonical ABCDE protein–protein interactions may underlie the mechanisms necessary to the development of separate male and female flowers, as reported for the monoecious Fagaceae Quercus suber. The results here depicted constitute a step towards the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in unisexual flower development in C. sativa, also suggesting that the ABCDE model for flower organ identity may be molecularly conserved in the predominantly monoecious Fagaceae family.

Download Full-text

Diversity of microfungi on branches of Castanea sativa in Slovakia

Polish Botanical Journal ◽

10.2478/pbj-2013-0049 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 741-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Katarína Adamčíková ◽

Gabriela Juhásová ◽

Marek Kobza ◽

Emília Ondrušková

Keyword(s):

Castanea Sativa ◽

Cryphonectria Parasitica ◽

Microscopic Fungi ◽

Chestnut Tree ◽

New Localities ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill

Abstract Localities in Castanea sativa Mill. plantations were visited in a study aimed at identifying the mycoflora of C. sativa in Slovakia [excluding Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.), Barr for which much data is available]. Samples from chestnut tree branches and stems were examined visually and microscopically. Seven species of microfungi were recorded, three with their anamorphs. Coryneum modonium (Sacc.) Griffon & Maubl. and Phomopsis castaneae Woron. were the most common. Libertella quercina Tul. & C. Tul. was identified in both states (anamorph and teleomorph) at two new localities. The records of Gloniopsis praelonga (Schwein.) Underw. & Earle and Dothidotthia celtidis (Ellis & Everh.) M. E. Barr are the first for Slovakia. These species were rare, found only in one locality. Two microscopic fungi were detected: Valsa ambiens (Pers.) Fr. [Cytospora ambiens (Nitschke) Sacc.] and Diplodina castaneae Prill. & Delacr.

Download Full-text

Congruence between genetic, morphometric, and physiological data on differentiation of Turkish chestnut (Castanea sativa)

Genome ◽

10.1139/g92-038 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 251-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

F. Villani ◽

M. Pigliucci ◽

M. Lauteri ◽

M. Cherubini ◽

O. Sun

Keyword(s):

Castanea Sativa ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Physiological Data ◽

Biological Traits ◽

Variation Patterns ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

Isozyme Loci ◽

Selective Forces ◽

Historical Times ◽

East West

Patterns of variability of genetic, morphometric, and physiological traits in Turkish chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) are investigated. Previous studies suggested a marked genetic differentiation of Turkish demes, arranged in an east-west cline. Genetic distances based on 21 isozyme loci, discriminant analysis of 13 fruit traits, and analysis of variance of carbon isotope discrimination were carried out. The results agree with genetic divergence reported earlier, and reveal remarkably consistent variation patterns for the three types of biological traits. Historical and anthropogenic effects are discussed as causes of chestnut evolution after the Wurm glaciation and of chestnut dispersal in historical times. Particular attention is focused on probable selective forces that molded the phenotypic variation of C. sativa and lead to the observed similarity of patterns of genetic and morphophysiological levels of variation.Key words: Castanea sativa, isozymes, morphometries, carbon isotype discrimination.

Download Full-text